Gambling Problem In Singapore
Over the past decade, gambling has becoming less problematic for Singaporeans as a whole. However, the recent news of a man losing S$80,000 while gambling in the last World Cup is a sober reminder.
What Constitutes Gambling?
Under the Remote Gambling Act (RGA), “gambling” is broadly defined to include betting, gaming, and participating in a lottery.
The RGA defines “betting” to include the staking of money or money’s worth on the outcome of a horse-race or sporting event.
Under the Common Gaming Houses Act (CGHA), “gaming” refers to any game involving an element of chance, or of mixed chance and skill, where players stand to gain money or money’s worth of rewards.
Games which do not involve money (e.g. a simple game of mahjong between friends with no cash involved) do not fall under the CGHA.
- More Singapore residents are gambling, with those aged 18 to 29 showing the biggest jump, from 28 per cent in 2014 to 41 per cent last year. The study by the National Council on Problem Gambling.
- Their gambling behaviour increases over time, both in frequency and amount wagered. Click here to access the website of the National Council on Problem Gambling - part of Singapore's national framework to address problem gambling.
The CGHA also regulates public lotteries, which is defined as a lottery to which the public or any class of the public has or may have access. A “lottery” is defined as any game, scheme or competition whereby money or money’s worth is distributed in a manner dependent on chance, whether or not such a lottery is held or managed within or outside Singapore.
When is it Legal to Gamble in Singapore?
Gaming in a “common gaming house” is an offence under the CGHA. A “common gaming house” includes any place kept or used for gaming, habitual gaming and public lottery, whether or not the public has access to it.Thus, whether the gambling behaviour in question crosses the line into an illegal act depends on whether the gambling venue is kept as a common gaming house, or a place to be used for gaming.
Private gambling
Gambling Problem Singapore Help
While the CGHA does not provide a definition for private gambling, it is generally considered as gambling in a place to which the public may not have access (e.g. at home).
Private gambling constitutes an offence if the place where such gambling is carried out is kept specifically for the purpose of habitual gaming as a common gaming house.
Anyone found guilty of gaming in a common gaming house will be liable for a fine up to $5,000, or to imprisonment for a term up to 6 months, or to both.
Gambling in public
Gambling in public refers to gambling in a place to which the public may have access and includes any place in which 10 or more persons are employed.
It is illegal to gamble in any public place. For example, gambling at a funeral held in a void deck may be illegal as a void deck is a public place.
However, if the funeral is held in a private place (e.g. rented space for events) to which the public does not have access, gambling there may be illegal as long as the private place in question does not constitute a common gaming house (as mentioned above).
Anyone found guilty of gaming in a public place will be liable for a fine up to $5,000, or to imprisonment for a term up to 6 months, or to both. Their gaming instruments may also be seized and forfeited.
Placing bets with bookmakers
Bookmakers’ activities are regulated under the Betting Act. Under the Betting Act, a bookmaker is any person who receives or negotiates bets or wagers on a cash or credit basis in exchange for money or money’s worth.
Any person who bets or wagers with a private bookmaker (also known as a “bookie”) in any place or by any means shall be guilty of an offence. Offenders will be liable for a fine up to $5,000, or to imprisonment for a term up to 6 months, or to both.
On the other hand, it will not be illegal to bet with exempted bookmakers such as Singapore Pools, Tote Board and the licensed casinos here.
Playing with jackpot machines
As jackpot gambling falls under the definition of “gaming” in the CGHA, it is illegal to participate in jackpot gambling in a common gaming house or in public unless the jackpot machine is located in a club which is permitted to operate the machine.
Is there a Minimum Age to Gamble Legally in Singapore?
The minimum age to gamble legally in Singapore varies according to the venue of the gambling activity. There is no one minimum age that applies to all gambling activities.
Generally, you have to be at least 18 years of age to gamble in Singapore. For example, Singapore Pools only allows individuals aged 18 and above to buy 4D or TOTO tickets, or placing horse racing bets. To have an account with Singapore Pools, you need to be at least 21 years old.
Under the Casino Control Act, you have to be at least 21 years of age before you can legally gamble in casinos. Minors found guilty of faking their age to gain entry to the casinos will be liable for a fine up to $1,000.
Online Gambling under the Remote Gaming Act
What is online gambling?
Under the RGA, “online gambling”, also known as “remote gambling”, is defined as gambling in which players participate through remote communication.
Such remote communication includes communication through the Internet, telephone, television or radio, or any other kind of electronic or other technology which facilitates communication.
Legality of online gambling
Section 8 of the RGA states that anyone who gambles through remote communication and uses a remote gambling service (explained below) shall be guilty of an offence.
It does not matter whether the gambling was done by the individual only, or together with any other person, or whether the individual directly or indirectly participated in the gambling.
What is a gambling service?
A “gambling service” is defined to include a service for the:
- Conduct of a public lottery;
- Supply of public lottery tickets;
- Placing, making or accepting of bets; or
- Conduct of game of chance where the game is played for money, or money’s worth, and customers give money, or money’s worth, to play the game.
Point (4) however, does not apply to social games and mobile applications which allow players to purchase tokens or game-enhancement features. This is as long as these games do not provide facilities to convert these tokens or features to money, or to real-world merchandise which can be exchanged for money.
When is online gambling legal?
Online gambling is legal if it is done through an exempt operator. Currently, only Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club have been granted certificates of exemption under the RGA. However, other operators may be granted certificates of exemption in the future.
In the event of doubt, it would be best to obtain more information as to the exemption status of operators by lodging an inquiry with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Consequences of illegal online gambling
If you have participated in unlawful remote gambling activity, a financial institution provider may be issued with a payment blocking order that may:
- Prevent it from accepting credit extended to you;
- Prevent it from accepting any cheque, bank draft or similar instrument which is drawn by or issued to you;
- Prevent it from accepting any funds transfer to or from you; or
- Cause it to block payments or prohibit transactions where these use merchant codes customarily associated with gambling transactions.
You can also be arrested without a warrant.
If you are found guilty of unlawful remote gambling under the RGA, you will be liable for pay a fine up to $5,000, or to imprisonment for a term up to 6 months, or to both.
Sentencing guidelines
The sentencing framework for first-time offenders under section 8 of the RGA was considered in the case of Lau Jian Bang v PP.
In that case, the court stated that first-time offenders under section 8 of the RGA will generally be fined at least $1,000 instead of receiving an imprisonment term.
The exact amount of the fine is pegged to the amount of the offender’s bets. Factors which could increase the amount of the fine would include steps taken to conceal one’s illegal bets and lack of remorse. An offender who pleads guilty in a timely manner or cooperates with the authorities may face a smaller fine.
An imprisonment term will generally only be imposed in cases involving repeat offenders.
Prohibition against inviting persons under 21 to gamble online
Under section 13 of the RGA, it is an offence to invite, permit, or cause a person under 21 years of age to gamble online in Singapore.
This includes actions such as sending the person an advertisement about an online gambling service or highlighting information about online gambling to that person with a view of encouraging him or her to gamble online.
Anybody found guilty of inviting a person under 21 years of age to gamble remotely shall be liable for pay a fine of at least $20,000 and up to $300,000, or to imprisonment for a term up to 6 years, or to both. This is unless you can prove that you took all reasonable steps to determine the individual’s age and that you reasonably believed that the individual was at least 21 years of age.
Tips on Gambling Legally in Singapore
Gamble in a private place with trusted friends
In order to avoid being charged for illegal gambling, you must not gamble in a public place, or a common gaming house where habitual gaming takes place.
It is also best to gamble only with a trusted group of friends and refrain from adding others to this group. This is because inviting strangers to gamble may be construed as gambling in a place to which the public may have access, constituting the offence of gambling in a “public place”.
Avoid gambling with seasoned gamblers as they may attract unwanted attention from the authorities. Seasoned gamblers may be characterised as those who are willing to spend large sums of money when gambling, or those who have outstanding debts due to their gambling habits.
Place small bets
You should cap your bets at a small amount. This this will help authorities to understand that you are engaging in a social activity with friends, instead of operating a common gaming house.
Bet only with exempted betting operators
Avoid private bookies, and place bets only with exempt betting operators. You should also not attempt to flout the minimum age requirement for betting with exempt operators.
Steps to Take If You Have Been Charged with a Gambling Offence
If you have been charged with a gambling offence, you may want to consider hiring a criminal lawyer to represent you in court.
The lawyer may assist you in seeking acquittal in the event that you did not in fact commit the offence in question.
For example, say that you have been found playing mahjong in public. Under the law, you will be presumed to be gaming in public for money or money’s worth, which is an offence.
However if there was actually no money involved in your mahjong session, a lawyer can highlight this to try and help acquit you of the offence.
Alternatively, the lawyer may assist you by establishing a defence or, if you are convicted of the offence, by seeking a lesser penalty for it.
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If you are planning on traveling to Singapore and experience the gambling nightlife, you have come to the right place.
The Singaporean government is not terribly fond of gambling, even though the country is home to two of the best casino resorts in all of Asia.
While tourists can gamble without a problem, locals find it much more difficult, especially since they must pay S$100 every time they visit a casino.
But there is a reason for it. The council uses it as a way to tackle problem gambling, meaning that instead of a way to disrupt the industry, it’s actually meant to help it out.
No matter if you are just visiting this beautiful country or you have been a resident for years, this article will show you how you can gamble in Singapore, as well as the best places to go and the important statistics that highlight its growth.
Here is all you need to know about gambling in Singapore.
Top Casinos In Singapore
The best casinos in Singapore attract people from all over the world. They are some of the most luxurious resorts across the globe and offer all the games you would expect from Las Vegas.
There may only be a few of them to try but you are guaranteed an experience unlike anything else.
The atmosphere is full of glamour and prestige and you can feel it as soon as you walk through the doors. The first casino in Singapore only opened less than 20 years ago, meaning that the gambling industry is still young compared to Vegas and other Asian markets like Macau.
But Singapore has something that these two places don’t: the title of being one of the top banking capitals in the world. With high rollers coming through the gates every day, you can be sure that the highest stakes are being played every single night.
There are more and more casino cruises in Singapore cropping up too. They will sail out to international waters to avoid breaking any laws that could prevent people from gambling on land.
When you turn up to a casino in Singapore, it’s best to turn up in smart casual. Avoid shorts and flip-flops at all costs or you can be certain you will not be allowed to enter – and this includes cruise casinos!
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is one of the best places to gamble in Singapore. It has close to 500 tables to play for your favorite games, more than 1,500 slot machines (jackpot machines to the locals) and, for those of you that want the VIP experience, over 30 private gaming rooms. In their own words, Marina Bay Sands has “a vast selection of the newest and most popular electronic gaming machines worldwide”.
With 15,000 square meters of casino space to enjoy, there are so many things to do. Minimum bets start at S$25 and vary depending on the table you play.
Resorts World Santosa
Resorts World Sentosa Casino (RWS) is 49 hectares worth of pure luxury and excitement. Located on the resort island of Sentosa, RWS has attracted more than 45 million visitors within its first three years and continues to welcome guests from all over the world
The casino itself covers 15,000 square meters of land and has the biggest casino games in Singapore. If you are a fan of poker, this is the destination for you.
The poker room is separate from the rest of the casino and, unlike the main casino floor, drinks are free of charge. The games start with blinds as low as SG$10/SG$20 with the rake capped at 5%.
If you fancy a break from the casino, you won’t be disappointed. The resort complex is also home to two other stunning attractions: Universal Studios theme park, the Maritime Experiential Museum and Marine Life Park, containing one of the largest aquariums in the world and the Adventure Cove Waterpark.
To enhance your stay, make good use of an award-winning destination spa, take a tour around the Resorts World Convention Centre, dine at a number of celebrity chef restaurants, and shop at some outstanding retail outlets.
Aegean Paradise Cruise
While aboard the Aegean Paradise Cruise, you can gamble all day and night without having to worry about breaking your lucky streak. If you get hungry, take as many trips to the Chinese buffet as you need or take a stroll across the deck and bathe in the sea breeze.
In terms of the casino itself, there are 40 live tables to play that include blackjack and poker, with hundreds of slot machines too.
Compared to mainland casinos, the minimum bets are far lower at around S$2 a bet, so low stakes players can take full advantage and have a good time.
There is an entry fee to access the Aegean Paradise Cruise casino, with prices starting at S$25. If you plan on staying the night, private cabins start from S$40 on weekdays and start from S$80 on weekends.
Head to the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. From here, you will be required to take a trip to Nongsapura Ferry Terminal before boarding the cruise and starting your at-sea casino adventure.
Online Gambling In Singapore
If you are a resident of Singapore, online gambling can be a great option for you. This is because if you know where to look, you can play games and avoid having to pay the daily fee.
There are so many options, ranging from poker and roulette to slot machine, bingo, blackjack and so much more.
Plus, once you sign up, you can be eligible to claim welcome bonuses to let you play with more money than you deposit.
There are so many possibilities but the main thing is that you don’t have to succumb to the normal Singapore levies.
Generally speaking, in order to gamble online in Singapore, you must be aged 21 and over, but there are many offshore online casinos that accept players aged 18 and over too.
You are often required to confirm your age with documentation so have them to hand as you sign up.
When you’re ready to start playing, you are most welcome to use Singapore dollars on most sites. Be aware though that since it’s not a major world currency, the majority of sites you can use will either have US dollars, UK sterling or Euros as their main denomination.
The best sites have great exchange rates so you get the most for your money when you either deposit or withdraw into your account.
Another advantage of playing online is that Singapore doesn’t have a hosting centre for any of these major sites.
All of the online casinos you can use are based abroad and fall out of the government’s restrictions, meaning that there’s no need to rely on the gambling commission for where the site is based.
Of course, it goes without saying that even though there are a lot of opportunities to gamble online, it’s important to stay with a reputable site.
Ensure that you pick somewhere that clearly displays their licensing credentials and who they are operated by.
Best Online Sites
The best online gambling website for Singaporeans depends on the game you want to play. For example, the best place to play blackjack could have big bonuses for making certain hands but their Taxes Hold’em offering could have high rake.
Have a browse to see the best places for your game of choice. With the amount of money in the gambling industry, it won’t be tough to find.
The most popular games for online gambling in Singapore are roulette, sic bo, baccarat, poker, craps, slots and blackjack.
This means there are literally thousands of games you can play, the majority of which can’t be found in live casinos.
The Legal Bit
Now, even though online gambling in Singapore is possible, you must pay attention to this. If you don’t you can get yourself in trouble.
The Remote Gambling Act has effectively banned online gambling in Singapore, meaning that you won’t be able to find any local sites to play on.
This law doesn’t just affect Singaporean betting companies in the country either as the government has blocked several of the world’s biggest gambling sites.
Here’s an explanation of the laws courtesy of Singapore Legal Advice:
Gambling can generally be classified into 3 categories:
- Gaming, which generally refers to games of chance and skill. An example would be “Dai Di”, the card game also known as Big Two.
- Lotteries such as 4D or the Singapore Sweep
- Betting, which can include wagering on football matches or horse races.
Gaming is common in Singapore as a recreational activity. It would appear that gaming during funerals, a common sight in Singapore, is considered gaming in private. However, the operation of gambling dens is illegal. It is also illegal to game in public.
These acts are prohibited by theCommon Gaming Houses Act. Therefore, gambling den operators and participants in public gaming can be liable for such offenses. Obviously, legalized casinos in Singapore are exempt from these laws.
Furthermore, underground betting is also an offense prohibited by theBetting Act. Only legalized organizations such as Singapore Pools can conduct public betting in Singapore.
Finally, jackpot machines are also banned in Singapore, in accordance with thePrivate Lotteries Act, except when permission is granted or as in the case of legalized casinos.
You can find even more legal information here.
So, how do you gamble online in Singapore?
The answer is by using proxy servers and VPNs that change your location.
When European players play online, most of their games don’t actually take place in their own country.
Unless the site has a server in that country, they are technically playing abroad. The server location is the place where the online casino is regulated and licensed too.
This creates a certain grey area for Singapore players. After all, if they use a proxy server or VPN and play on a European server, technically speaking they are playing a European game.
Now if you aren’t comfortable in this grey area, you don’t have to play for real. These sites will have games you can play for free or with ‘play money’, meaning you can still have a good time gambling online.
Once you get online, there are many online sites you can use, of which you can expect great security so that keep your personal details private and secure, a variety of your favorite casino games to keep you playing all night and plenty of rewards including real cash welcome bonuses.
Mobile Gambling In Singapore
Even though Singapore is small, there are so many things you can be doing. If you don’t fancy being limited to one place at a time, why not take your gambling on the move with you?
Plenty of Singapore’s online casinos function just as well on mobile devices as they do on a desktop computer. Whether it’s on your smartphone or on your tablet, there’s no need to stay at home and play anymore.
The mobile gambling experience for Singapore players is available on all major platforms, including iOS, Android and Windows. All you need is some battery power, an internet connection and you’re away.
Of course, with mobile gambling, you’re not just limited to Singapore either. Take the games on your travels across Asia and beyond.
The Facts And Figures
In 2018, it was reported that more residents of Singapore were gambling. The biggest increase was people aged between 18 and 29 years old, where the number of people gambling rose from 28% in 2014 to 41% in 2017.
These numbers were taken from a study by the National Council of Problem Gaming (NCPG), which occurs every three years. In fact, of the 3,000 Singapore residents that took part in the study, a lot of people from all age groups are gambling more than in previous years.
Furthermore, the study found that 52% of the participants had taken part in at least one form of gambling, compared to 44% in 2014.
The average monthly spending on gambling also increased $20 to $30 in the same timespan.
In terms of the most popular game, the 4D lottery remains on top.
However, while more people are gambling in Singapore, more people are also keeping themselves well away. The people that are self-excluding themselves the most were aged between 41 and 50 years old.
Gambling Addiction In Singapore
Now, while gambling can be a lot of fun, it can also cause a lot of problems if not managed properly.
However, in Singapore, even with the two massive casinos opening, the number of people becoming addicted to gambling in Singapore has decreased.
As per the report by the NCPG mentioned at the beginning of this article, the number of permanent residents of Singapore that had a problem with gambling was only 0.9% in 2017.
To put this into perspective, there were just over Singaporeans and permanent residents in 2017 who were over 20 years old. Therefore, 0.9% of this equates to around 28,000 people with an addiction problem.
In fact, the total number of people with a gambling addiction has been falling ever since 2005 ie before the two casinos were even open.
Only 1% of the people polled played jackpots or table games in Singapore.
One of the reasons behind this is due to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) implementing social safeguards to prevent addictions from forming; one of which being the daily S$100 levy.
So while the casinos remain an attraction for many international travelers, it seems the novelty has worn off the locals with fewer residents going than in previous years.
But even with all this considered, it’s still important to address the issue. Gambling addicts in Singapore often suffer from financial stress and cause concern for their families.
The council is doing a lot of work to raise awareness of problem gambling and offering help to anyone affected by it.
It is also increasing the number of help centers available and has even created an e-counseling service. The aim is to help people that feel uncomfortable talking about their problems by allowing them to be anonymous and talk over the phone or the internet.
Conclusion
Gambling in Singapore is on the rise. More and more people are coming to the city and taking advantage of the unique experience.
There are great games to play every day, no matter if you are playing at home or you take a trip into international waters.
If you have never been, there has never been a better time to gamble in Singapore. Even during the times where you don’t fancy it, the surrounding areas are packed with great activities to keep you entertained.
But even though the number of people gambling in Singapore is increasing, the number of people with a problem is heading in the opposite direction.
Gambling Problem In Singapore International
It’s vital that this trend continues so both residents and travelers keep coming back for more.