Gambling Regulations In Singapore - A Recap For The Lunar New Year

• Published date: 30 January 2024
• Subject Matter: Media, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment, Media & Entertainment Law, Gaming
• Law Firm: Dentons Rodyk & Davidson
• Author: Ms Marian Ho, Sean Gallagher and Wei En Tan

I. Introduction

During the Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday period, many will indulge in some light-hearted gambling when visiting relatives and friends, perhaps in the form of Mahjong rounds or other popular gambling card games such as Poker.

For many businesses, CNY presents an opportunity to bring about new promotions and marketing ideas aiming at increasing sales and revenue, in the form of raffles for a chance to win prizes and money, or offering mystery boxes for sale.

However, whether it is the ubiquitous sounds of the shuffling of Mahjong tile pieces or the promotional opportunities to win a prize in a raffle, such activities will need to be carried out within the parameters of Singapore's gambling laws.

This article aims to provide a recap of the regulations governing gambling in Singapore specifically pertaining to gambling activities during CNY.

II. Overview of the regulatory regime governing gambling activities in Singapore

Gambling in Singapore is regulated by several statutes, namely the Gambling Control Act 2022 (the GCA), the Casino Control Act 2006 (the CCA) and the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore Act 2022 (the GRASA).

With the GRASA, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore (the GRA) is established as the sole regulator for all forms of gambling activities in Singapore. The GRA is also responsible for ensuring that the management and operation of the casinos in Singapore remains free from criminal influence or exploitation.

The GCA consolidates unlawful gambling offences and the regulation of authorised gambling services (other than casinos) under a single Act. The GCA regulates gambling activities in a risk-calibrated approach, as follows:

1. The GCA authorises the GRA to grant gambling operator licences for gambling services such as betting and lottery, gaming machine rooms, and gambling in private establishments.
2. The GCA introduces class licensing regimes for lower-risk gambling products, such as business promotion lucky draws and mystery boxes. An operator offering such activities does not need to be individually licensed by the GRA, but it must meet the requirements of the class licence in order to offer the relevant activity.
3. The GCA permits "social gambling" among family and friends in homes. However, this allowance for social gambling in homes does not extend to online platforms.

With respect to casinos, the CCA provides for the operation and regulation of casinos and gaming in casinos.

III. Engaging in gambling activities in Singapore

In Singapore, the general rule is that gambling, whether taking place physically or via online means, is prohibited unless licensed or exempted. Where there is no exemption that applies, a person must not conduct any betting operation, or conduct gaming or any lottery, unless that person:

1. has been...