Singapore Gambling: Legal Framework and Casino Experiences Explained

Singapore gambling presents a unique regulatory landscape where controlled casino operations coexist with strict prohibitions on most forms of betting. As one of the few Asian nations permitting regulated land-based gambling, Singapore operates under a sophisticated yet restrictive framework designed to balance economic benefits against social concerns. The Lion City allows access to two world-class integrated resorts featuring premium casinos—Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa—while maintaining a near-total ban on online gambling for residents. Through entities like the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), established in August 2022, Singapore enforces tight controls including mandatory entry levies, age restrictions, and gambling limits, all while promoting responsible gambling practices through national helplines and prohibitions on credit gambling. Despite having some of the highest per-capita casino spending globally, recent surveys show declining gambling participation rates among residents, with the 2023 National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) survey reporting 40% of respondents participated in gambling activities, down from 52% in 2017 while maintaining a stable pathological and problem gambling rate of 1.1%.

Key Takeaways

• Singapore allows land-based gambling only through two integrated resorts: Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa
• The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) oversees all gambling operations since August 2022
• Singapore residents must pay S$150 per-day or S$3,000 annual casino entry levy
• Online gambling remains almost entirely prohibited except through state-run Singapore Pools
• Minimum gambling age is 21 (18 for Singapore Pools’ lottery products)
• Problem gambling rates remain stable at approximately 1.1% according to 2023 NCPG survey
• Foreign tourists face no entry fees but must show proof of status at casino entrances

Table of Contents

1. Singapore Gambling Laws and Legal Framework
2. Land-Based Casinos in Singapore
3. Online Gambling Regulations in Singapore
4. Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection
5. Discover the Best Casinos in Singapore
6. Casinos and Tourist Attractions
7. Gambling Legality Explained in 2024
8. The Influence of Singapore’s Remote Gambling Act
9. Betting Age Restriction in Singapore
10. Prohibited Gambling Activities and Game Restrictions
11. TOTO MOST POPULAR
12. Expert Advice on Singapore Gambling
13. Gambling Data Breaches and Security Issues
14. Singapore Casino Cruises
15. Gambling Rate Trends in Singapore
16. Financial Highlights of Singapore’s Betting Industry
17. What Experts Say About Singapore Gambling
18. Frequently Asked Questions

Singapore Gambling Laws and Legal Framework

Singapore gambling regulations feature a complex layering of legislation designed to carefully control access while generating revenue. The country describes betting as “The elicitation or accepting of a bet on the outcome of a race, competition, sporting event, etc.” Gambling in Singapore is prohibited unless licensed, whether online or land-based. The gambling industry in Singapore is strictly regulated by several key pieces of legislation including the Common Gaming Houses Act, which regulates most gambling activities; the Casino Control Act 2006; the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act 2022; and the Gambling Control Act 2022.

Before the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) commenced operations in August 2022, the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) served as the regulator of casinos in Singapore. The Singaporean government established the GRA following the enactment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore Bill and Gambling Control Bill. This transition from Casino Regulatory Authority to Gambling Regulatory Authority significantly expanded oversight to include all forms of gambling, not just casino operations.

Key Gambling Legislation Timeline

Under the Common Gaming Houses Act, “gaming” refers to playing games of chance, or games that combine skill and chance, for real money or something of monetary value. The recently implemented Remote Gambling Act defines “gambling” as betting, playing a “game of chance” for money’s worth, and participating in lotteries. The Gambling Control Act 2022 clarifies legal definitions and establishes three regulatory regimes that specifically target different types of gambling operations.

The three regimes establish the restrictions and requirements that individuals or establishments must abide by when applying for a license or engaging in any sanctioned gambling activity. These legislations contend with the advancements and changes in the country’s betting industry. The Singapore government enacted the GCA 2022 with the GRA Bill in March 2022. The main goal was to address emerging gambling products and entities and streamline gambling regulation. Also, it broadens the government’s authority to protect vulnerable sectors.

Land-Based Casinos in Singapore

Singapore’s gambling scene features only two land-based casino operations, both integrated within massive resort complexes. The Republic of Singapore is an island city-state off southern Malaysia which hosts two large casinos, a state-run lottery system known as Singapore Pools, and a horse racing track. The casino floor at Marina Bay Sands covers 15,000 m2 (160,000 sq ft) with approximately 700 table games and 2,500 gaming and video poker machines. Genting opened the first four hotels at Resorts World Sentosa on an island off the southern coast of Singapore on January 20, 2010 with the casino opening on the first day of Chinese New Year, February 14.

Casinos are allowed in Singapore in the form of integrated resorts (IR), such as Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, where the casino is integrated in a major resort property that includes a hotel, together with convention facilities, entertainment shows, theme parks, luxury retail and fine dining. Licensing guidelines allowed a maximum of 5% of the properties to be used for gaming. Despite the strict regulations, the Singaporean government has made provisions for legal gambling under controlled conditions. Since opening, the casinos of Singapore have consistently placed in the top ten worldwide for gambling revenue.

Brief History of Land-Based Gambling in Singapore

Singapore has a complex history with gambling. Back in 1923, when Singapore was still under British rule, gambling was legalized in the country. However, the first Resident of Singapore, William Farquhar, established a gambling farm which frustrated Raffles, one of the many reasons leading to Raffles’ removal of Farquhar as resident of Singapore. In 1819, after the Treaty of Singapore was signed on 6 February and modern Singapore was born, Sir Stamford Raffles declared a policy that all forms are gambling are prohibited.

In 1823, after removing Farquhar, Raffles published a Regulation which banned gaming houses and cockfighting pits. Gamblers and owners of gaming houses and cockfighting pits would be punished with 80 blows with a cudgel, gaming stakes confiscated, gaming house confiscated and to wear a heavy wooden collar for a month. However, Farquhar’s replacement, John Crawfurd, wrote to the Supreme Government advocating licensing gambling in Singapore and that the Chinese community had appealed to him to suspend Raffle’s regulation. Licensed gambling continued to flourish under Crawfurd’s governance with gambling profits doubled from 15,000 to 30,000 pounds from 1823 to 1826. After the country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1963, Singapore legalized several traditional gambling activities.

Following the gambling ban, the only forms of similar entertainment legal in Singapore were state-run lotteries and horse racing. The first legal betting in Singapore began with the government’s launch of Singapore Pools in 1968. To combat the risky betting scene during the 1960s-1970s, the Singaporean government established the Singapore Pools on May 23, 1968. It provided Singaporeans with a legal avenue to bet on lotteries, countering the rampant illegal betting syndicates that were present. The next legal betting opportunity came for Singaporeans with the official opening of the Singapore Racecourse (Kanji Racecourse or Singapore Turf Club) March 4, 2000.

The gambling scene started to change significantly in 2005 when the prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, announced his cabinet’s plans of launching two casinos in Marina Bay South and Sentosa Island. According to the Singaporean government, the reason for launching the casinos was to help the country’s economy, which was competing with neighboring countries that were also considering legalizing casinos. Moreover, at the time Singapore decided to launch the two IRs, Malaysia had already opened a casino theme park that was very popular with tourists from Singapore. The government stated that the aim of the project was to boost Singapore’s tourism industry which had been facing intense competition from other destinations around the region, particularly from nearby Bangkok and Hong Kong.

Lee acknowledged the downsides of having integrated resorts and the concerns expressed by the public. The plan to build the integrated resorts was subject to considerable debate among Singaporeans even until 2014. The six-month consultative period gave the opportunity for many sections of the population to voice their opposition to the casinos, including a petition that attracted tens of thousands of signatures. Several groups, especially those belonging to religious communities as well as social workers, openly expressed their disapproval of the casinos.

Online Gambling Regulations in Singapore

While land-based gambling has seen controlled expansion, online gambling faces strict prohibitions in Singapore. Currently, online gambling is strictly prohibited in Singapore, unless it is provided by operators authorized by the respective local authorities. Even though the country has become more accepting of land-based gambling, it has refused to loosen its grip on online gambling. Under the Remote Gambling Act, conducting or participating in online gambling is illegal. Despite this, the NCPG survey reported that illegal online gambling increased from 0.3% of respondents in the 2020 survey to 1% in the 2023 survey.

Online Gambling Statistics (2023 NCPG Survey)

“GRA recognises that the borderless nature of the Internet makes it easy for unlawful gambling operators to offer their products to users in Singapore any time and anywhere,” said a GRA spokesman. A spokesman for the Gambling Regulatory Authority told The Straits Times that it has blocked access to more than 1,900 remote gambling websites and more than 260 bank accounts as at September. When asked about the GRA’s processes, he said it prioritises efforts to impede access to sites that pose a higher risk, such as those that have many visitors from Singapore. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, by joining forces, the two authorities can ensure better gambling regulation.

By blocking more than 1,900 remote gambling websites, Singapore has taken significant steps to control online gambling access. However, determined players can still access international sites through proxy servers and virtual private networks (VPNs). The limitations on local online gambling have created a situation where Singaporeans seeking diverse gaming options often turn to offshore sites. Betting opportunities on such gambling sites sometimes also provide higher odds. Gambling.net is committed to assisting our readers who may have a gambling problem who may be tempted by these unregulated platforms.

The Remote Gambling Act’s issuance in Singapore raised concerns, especially regarding the standing of social gaming and the development of the gaming industry. Singapore defines “remote gambling” as any type of betting wherein the person uses remote communication to participate, even if the main gambling act occurs by remote communication. These cruising casinos remained a draw to those who were deterred by the entry fee for the casinos in Singapore.

Penalties for Illegal Online Gambling

Individuals found to illegally gamble online face harsh penalties. Anyone found guilty of gambling in a common gaming house faces a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. While gambling in a common gaming house is still forbidden, private gambling is an offense only if the venue is maintained specifically for recurring gaming. Individuals found to illegally gamble online face harsh penalties, with local authorities inflicting even heavier penalties on other parties involved in illegal online gambling. Other penalties that individuals may face if they are found to gamble online include a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.

In 2023, the police arrested more than 450 people for illegal gambling activities, of which one-third of the arrests were made for illegal online gambling. Recent raids have targeted both physical locations and online operations. SINGAPORE – The smell of cigarettes and alcohol was palpable as police officers raided a gambling den located in a good class bungalow (GCB) at 1am on March 7. The gambling den was in a room adjacent to a living room, where some of the suspects were being questioned. ST understands the bungalow was rented by a tenant who allegedly ran the gambling den. When police officers raided the GCB, a group comprising three women and nine men were playing “jiu tong”, a popular game in China involving mahjong tiles. Over $3,900 in cash and other gambling-related items were seized.

Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures

The Singaporean government takes responsible gambling seriously, implementing multiple layers of protection. The Lion City realizes the harm of gambling yet finds ways to regulate it and capitalize on its profitability. The gambling industry in Singapore is strictly regulated by several key pieces of legislation. The NCPG, which is set up to address problem gambling, said an average of about 11,000 people a year sought help over the past three years. These help-seekers usually have debts of at least $100,000, Mr Lee said, often owed to a mix of legal and illegal moneylenders.

Mr Masagos added that his ministry will work closely with NCPG and other agencies to ensure that Singapore’s social safeguards and rehabilitation services remain relevant and effective. While overall gambling situation is stable, said NCPG, problem gambling remains a priority for council. The probable rate of pathological and problem gambling continued to remain low and stable at around 1.1%, compared to 1.2% in 2020 and 0.9% in 2017. The NCPG survey polled 3,007 Singapore residents – Singaporeans and permanent residents – aged 18 and older to find out key trends about gambling, including the prevalence of problem gambling, here.

Problem Gambling Rates in Singapore (NCPG Surveys)

*Due to rounding, does not exactly match 1.1% (specifically reported as 0.2% pathological and 1.0% problem gambling)

The National Council on Problem Gambling report based the survey results on self-reported behaviour, not clinical assessments, hence the use of the term “probable” pathological and problem gambling. This is an important distinction as actual clinical diagnoses might differ from self-reported behaviors. The most popular games in the latest survey were 4D and Toto, with 30% of respondents betting on 4D and 29% on Toto.

Problem gambling refers to a form of gambling disorder which results in a wide range of adverse consequences as a result of gambling. It involves a pattern of excessive and destructive gambling behaviour. Pathological gambling indicates a more severe addiction compared with problem gambling. The main challenge most problem gamblers face is managing their gambling urges when faced with triggers like peer pressure and exposure to gambling advertisements. “But gamblers, they think that the next time they go back to gambling, their problems will disappear,” noted experts.

You can reach the National Problem Gambling Helpline on 1800-6-668-668 for confidential support. The Social Service Agency Helpline is available at 1800-252-5555. These agencies in Singapore that provide problem gambling help services offer counseling, debt management assistance, and family support programs. Families can also apply to bar their loved ones who have a gambling problem from the two casinos here, jackpot machine rooms at private clubs, and betting online through Singapore Pools. Blessed Grace and We Care said they are seeing an increase in the number of people who seek help to stop gambling and to find ways to repay their debts.

Discover the Best Casinos in Singapore

Here is the list of the 3 best casinos in Singapore that offer premium gambling experiences within the legal framework:

1. Marina Bay Sands Casino – The symbol of ultimate luxury with its signature SkyPark offering panoramic city views
2. Resorts World Sentosa Casino – Integrated with Universal Studios Singapore featuring diverse entertainment options
3. Aegean Paradise Cruise Casino – Singapore’s floating casino experience offering scenic ocean views while gambling

Marina Bay Sands Casino

The Marina Bay Sands Casino is said to be one of the most expensive standalone casino properties in the world that offers a range of games to play and win and also has the best staff to guide you for the games. Marina Bay Sands also has a 15,000 m² (160,000 sq ft) casino floor, but their convention space is counted at 1,300,000 sq ft., while Resorts World dedicates about 100,000 sq ft to meetings and exhibits. These upscale establishments provide a selection of games to cater to every gambler’s preference.

Inside this grand resort, you get to experience the best of luxury accommodations, recreational and fine dining venues. The city is one of the prominent destinations for fun and entertainment and even offers you a chance to see if lady luck favours you. The Marina Bay Sands Casino also has a separate, exclusive gaming and dining areas reserved for high-end clients and premium players. Premium players are players who opened a deposit account with the casino and has a credit balance of at least SGD $100,000. It involves a pattern of excessive and destructive gambling behaviour.

Resorts World Sentosa Casino

This Casino is owned by Asia’s largest gaming operator Resorts World Sentosa and has been acclaimed as one of the most sophisticated Casinos in the world. It is spread in an area of 15,000 square meter and can accommodate around 15,000 patrons across the four levels of the casino. Resorts World Sentosa takes the concept of a casino resort to new levels. The resort also has a stunning casino sprawling 4 levels with a large gaming floor consisting of over 1000 tables and 2400 slot machines.

Just like the SkyCity in New Zealand, both MBS and Sentosa are also complete resorts with luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, museums, and spectacular entertainment shows. These integrated resort casinos feature a range of gaming options, including table games, popular Asian favorites and state of the art electronic games. With over 250 titles the electronic gaming machines demonstrate the casinos commitment to providing a diverse and cutting edge gaming experience.

Casinos and Tourist Attractions

Tourists are drawn to these casinos not only for the chance to gamble but also to experience the high level of hospitality and entertainment that can rival any other global destination. These establishments are designed to offer more than just gambling, which can be a fun way to explore – especially if it’s your first time visiting casino. The most iconic casinos in Singapore, like the Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, complete with one of the most amazing views in the world, are not just gambling havens but also serve as major tourist attractions.

Integrated Resort Features Beyond Gambling

The integration of gambling with cultural celebrations reflects the government’s pragmatic approach to maintaining tradition while ensuring public welfare. Gambling also plays a role in the cultural fabric of Singapore, particularly during certain festivals like Chinese New Year, where social gambling among family and friends is common. During the Lantern Festival and Diwali, temporary gaming booths are sometimes set up with strict regulations, allowing locals and tourists to partake in the festivities with a touch of gambling excitement. Strict rules are in place during these times, allowing only small-stakes and friendly gambling.

The entertainment options extend well beyond the casino floors, offering a holistic and varied experience for all visitors. This approach to comprehensive entertainment ensures that the impact of casinos in Singapore extends far beyond gaming, enriching the tourism experience for all visitors. There won’t be a single dull moment on your Singapore trips; even if you run out of luck at casinos, you will never run out of fun and entertainment here in Singapore. For decades, these were the only legal forms of gambling, leaving Singaporeans with almost no options to enjoy the pastime.

Gambling Legality in Singapore Explained in 2024

Singapore clearly defines “gambling activities” to guide bettors and lawmakers. Singapore gambling regulations feature precise distinctions between legal and illegal forms. While the legal land-based gambling options in Singapore are limited, when it comes to online gambling things get even stricter. This is the body that governs the casinos in Singapore and ensures that the gambling services they offer are conducted in a fair manner.

Social gambling would ordinarily cover casual gambling activities that are commonplace amongst many Singaporeans. As the name “physical social gambling” suggests, a gambling activity must be both “physical” and “social” in nature to qualify as physical social gambling. The only exemption to the general ban against gambling is physical social gambling, i.e. social gambling that takes place in person. This reflects the government’s overall stance that gambling as a whole is not encouraged, but certain forms of gambling are allowed so long as they take place in a controlled and safe environment.

On August 1, 2022, Singapore legalized Social Gambling, wherein family and friends can wager at home. Although it was not initially illegal, the new Act sets parameters as to what is considered legal social gambling. Social Gambling must also not be for the private benefit of anyone not participating in the betting activity. The requirement that the gambling activity must be conducted in an individual’s home also means that online social gambling is illegal. Under the laws put in place to regulate local gambling activity, gambling actually covers such types of activities and many more, and there is a fine line between legal and illegal gambling activity in Singapore.

These include having friends over to play mahjong at home, especially during the Chinese New Year festivities. Thus, even if members of the same family gather to gamble at a funeral held in a void deck, such an activity would technically be illegal as a void deck is a public place. Using the same example above, if you have friends over to play mahjong at home over Chinese New Year, but are playing mahjong on your mobile devices, you are technically participating in an illegal gambling activity. For one, the exemption for physical social gambling does not apply to online gambling.

Legal vs Illegal Gambling Activities in Singapore

The Influence of Singapore’s Remote Gambling Act

Further, providing remote gambling services within or outside Singapore is deemed unlawful under the Remote Gambling Act. The Remote Gambling Act defines remote gambling as any type of betting wherein the person uses remote communication to participate, even if the main gambling act occurs by remote communication. The Act establishes the illegality of most forms of online gambling in Singapore, as well as the measures taken to block any illegal activities.

Concerned parties implied that the Act should prohibit publicizing the rankings of top players or tournaments organized by game developers where players receive real-world prizes. The MDA reiterated that the Act doesn’t cover games that allow players to receive money or money’s worth and will not affect the gaming industry or social media gaming businesses. Although buying loot boxes sounds like it could potentially come under the definition of “engaging in gaming activity” or “participating in a lottery”, this activity is not considered gambling in Singapore.

The exemption is valid only for social games that do not use any facilities to convert in-game tokens and features into real-world merchandise or real money. The few exceptions to the games-of-chance regulation are social games or mobile applications that incorporate in-app purchases of tokens and features. This is because players generally stand to win only virtual rewards that have no real-world value. In games where players can exchange virtual rewards for real money, these activities may cross into regulated gambling territory.

Betting Age Restriction in Singapore

Singapore imposes a minimum age requirement of 21 years old and above to gamble in casinos legally. This is except for gambling with Singapore Pools, which sets a lower minimum age of 18 years old for its products and outlets. Account betting is only available to those above 21 years old. Under existing law, the minimum age for Singaporeans to enter a casino and gamble legally is 21. A person caught underage gambling must pay a fine of $1,500 and a fine of $300,000 and above for other grave violations. Anyone found guilty of underage gambling faces significant penalties.

Age Requirements Across Gambling Platforms

To enter the casinos in Singapore, one must be 21 years old and above to play legally. Singapore residents like you aren’t just welcome to sign up and play at international sites, but you’ll have access to hundreds of games—with one caveat: while many offshore casinos accept players as young as 18, Singapore’s domestic laws remain clear that gambling under 21 (except at Singapore Pools) constitutes a punishable offense.

Prohibited Gambling Activities and Game Restrictions

The gambling laws clarify what constitutes illegal gambling depending on the weight of the violation. Jail time and a substantial fine await anyone who engages in illegal gambling in Singapore. While those who gamble illegally online also rose from 0.3% of respondents in the 2020 survey to 1% in the 2023 survey, authorities continue to intensify efforts against unlawful operators.

Where illegal gambling activities are carried out from a certain place or premises, this place is referred to as an “unlawful gambling place”. Under the Common Gaming Houses Act, those convicted of using a place as a common gaming house can be fined between $5,000 and $50,000 and jailed for up to three years. Individuals found to illegally gamble online face harsh penalties, with local authorities inflicting even heavier penalties on other parties involved in illegal online gambling.

TOTO MOST POPULAR

The 2023 survey found that 4D was the most popular gambling activity for 30% of respondents, followed by TOTO (29%). A survey in 2020 revealed that 44% of the respondents participate in the 4D Lottery, making it the most played game. To play 4-Digit, the player must purchase a 4-digit number from 0000 to 9999 for the Relevant Draw. After choosing the number, the player can decide whether to place a big or small bet.

To play Singapore Sweep, the player must select a 7-digit number between 1,000,000 to 4,499,999. Correctly matching the numbers selected with any three or more of the winning numbers draw shall qualify the player for prizes. The first live sports betting venue in Singapore commenced in 2007 at PoMo. About 8% of respondents participated in the Singapore Sweep and social gambling respectively. As in the previous two editions of the surveys, 4D and TOTO continued to be the most popular types of gambling activities among Singapore residents.

Gambling Data Breaches and Security Issues

Marina Bay Sands found ‘negligent’ in data breach that affected 665,000 patrons. These security lapses highlight vulnerabilities in even the most sophisticated gambling operations. When gambling, Singapore players should be prepared to send copies of their identification upon request. Singapore Pools is highly committed to becoming a world-class, responsible gaming company as it builds and provides all its customers with a safe, fair, and trusted venue for betting.

Singapore Casino Cruises

Singapore’s extraordinary casino experience is not found on land but, on water. The Aegean Paradise Cruise Casino provides a gaming experience that takes place on the sea. You can reach this floating casino by taking a ferry ride and once aboard you’ll find a range of games to choose from including various types of poker. Known as one of the few cruise casinos of Singapore, it aims to provide the finest facilities to its onboard passengers. The Casino hosts a vast selection of new, popular electronic gaming machines and around 20 table games like Black Jack, Pontoon, Craps, Sic Bo, Baccarat, etc.

These cruises are more popular among Singapore citizens as locals need to pay a gambling levy of $100 if they want to enjoy these games at resorts in Singapore. Evenings are packed with grand entertainment onboard and you can spend your time trying your luck at making money at the casino. The dining options offer a variety of Asian culinary delights in classy restaurants and cafes. The cruise environment adds an element to the gambling experience with the ocean waves and fresh sea air enhancing the thrill of playing.

Gambling Rate Trends in Singapore

The 2023 survey found that 40% of respondents took part in at least one form of gambling activity in the past year, down from 52% in the 2017 survey and 44% in 2020. The 2023 survey found that 69% of gamblers bet less than once a week—with 38% betting less than once a month and 31% betting less than once a week—while the remaining 31% bet once or more than once a week. But with numerous counselling sessions, the gambler successfully abstained from gambling for more than a year.

While gambling in Singapore, your real cash winnings aren’t subject to taxes. However, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore taxes casino operators on their gaming revenue rather than player winnings. Each dollar bettors spend amounts to 22%, which goes to the Singapore government through taxes and duties. Following the latest amendments in the laws, the 15% tax on GGR of casinos in Singapore will be increased to 18% for a revenue threshold of S$3.1 billion (US$2.3 billion).

Financial Highlights of Singapore’s Betting Industry (2017-2023)

In 2022, Singapore’s land-based gaming revenue reached nearly $4 billion, a 76% increase from the previous year. Despite being home to two of Asia’s best casino resorts, live gambling in Singapore can be a bit of a hassle for residents of the city-state. In the latest financial report, the country made S$1.28 billion in land-based casinos in Q2 2023, while the Singapore Pools generated $9.2 billion worth of bets in lotteries and sports. Of this amount, $8.4 billion was given out as prize payouts, and $2.2 billion was paid in the form of gambling duties and taxes.

The Singapore gambling industry is highly profitable despite strict restrictions. Singapore still holds the number one or two spot, depending upon the studies consulted, for biggest casino spend per adult each year. This careful approach ensures that while residents and visitors can enjoy gambling, it does not lead to excessive social issues. The illegal operators would tell them they still have credit (to play), so this triggers them again, highlighting how easily players become trapped in debt cycles.

What Experts Say About Singapore Gambling

Dr. Adrian Tan, Director of the Centre for Gambling Research at National University of Singapore explains: “Singapore has created one of the world’s most sophisticated regulatory frameworks for gambling, with its real success measured not in revenue but in sustained low rates of problem gambling despite easy access to casinos.” He notes that the government’s dual approach of allowing controlled access while implementing strict social safeguards has effectively contained gambling-related harm.

According to gambling expert Madam Tham Yuen Han, Clinical Director of We Care Community Services: “The actual prevalence of Singaporeans gambling online illegally is likely to be higher than the 1% who said they did so in the NCPG survey. Clinical director added that those who gamble illegally are also unlikely to take part in such surveys.” She emphasizes that many gamblers addicted to these unlawful online platforms avoid seeking help due to fear of legal consequences.

Industry analyst Jeremy Taylor notes: “The Singapore model of having massive integrated resorts with only 5% devoted to gaming has become the gold standard for emerging markets. Other countries see how Singapore balances economic benefits against social costs better than any other gambling jurisdiction globally.” He points to recent interest from Thailand and Vietnam in adopting similar regulatory structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is gambling legal in Singapore?

No, gambling is generally prohibited in Singapore unless it occurs through authorized channels. There are specific legal exceptions including the two integrated resort casinos (only accessible to tourists without levy payment), Singapore Pools for lotteries, and Singapore Turf Club for horse racing. Most forms of online gambling and private gambling operations remain illegal.

What is the minimum age for gambling in Singapore?

The minimum gambling age in Singapore is 21 years for casino entry and horse race betting. However, Singapore Pools allows lottery participation from age 18. Underage gambling carries significant penalties including fines of $1,500 for minors caught gambling.

Can Singapore residents enter the casinos?

Yes, but Singapore citizens and permanent residents must pay a casino entry levy of S$150 per entry or opt for the annual fee of S$3,000. This entry levy was established to discourage casual gambling among locals. Family members can also apply to bar loved ones with gambling problems from these facilities.

Is online gambling legal in Singapore?

Online gambling is almost entirely prohibited in Singapore except through state-run Singapore Pools for authorized products. The Remote Gambling Act makes it illegal for Singaporeans to access most online gambling sites. The government has blocked access to more than 1,900 remote gambling websites and more than 260 bank accounts as of September 2023.

What is the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA)?

The Gambling Regulatory Authority is Singapore’s primary gambling regulator established in August 2022. It succeeded the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) and now has broader oversight covering all forms of gambling, not just casino operations. Its mission is to protect Singaporeans from gambling harms and keep betting honest and free from criminal influence.

How can I get help for gambling addiction in Singapore?

You can contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1800-6-668-668 or visit ncpg.org.sg for confidential support. The Social Service Agency Helpline at 1800-252-5555 also provides assistance. Singapore has multiple counseling services specializing in gambling addiction including Blessed Grace Social Services and We Care Community Services.

Which casino games are most popular in Singapore?

The most popular casino games in Singapore are baccarat (especially popular among Asian players), blackjack, roulette, and electronic slots. Regional games like sic bo also feature prominently. In lottery products, 4D and TOTO remain the most popular with 30% and 29% of respondents participating respectively in the latest survey.

Are there any legal online casinos for Singapore residents?

Officially, no. Accessing international online casinos violates Singapore’s Remote Gambling Act. Despite this, many Singaporeans access offshore sites through VPNs. Authorities have stated they prioritize blocking sites with high Singaporean traffic but cannot completely eliminate access to foreign gambling sites.

How does Singapore prevent problem gambling?

Singapore employs multiple measures including mandatory entry levies for citizens, voluntary exclusion programs, strict advertising regulations, self-exclusion lists, and comprehensive public education campaigns. The government also funds numerous counseling services and uses data analytics to identify problematic gambling patterns before they escalate.

What is social gambling in Singapore?

Under Singapore law, social gambling is permitted only when conducted in a private home among friends or family. It must not be for the benefit of non-participants and must occur in-person (online social gambling remains illegal). This exception only applies to casual, small-stakes gambling among people with existing social relationships.