Online Casino Singapore: Things to Know
Browsing through various information on the Internet, a player is to get easily confused about whether online gambling in Singapore is legal or not. Unfortunately, the news isn't too great for the enthusiastic lot out there. Whoever's been planning to build their retirement nest egg by playing at Singapore casino online platforms should start browsing for other options.
In 2014, online gambling in Singapore was outlawed by the Remote Gambling Act (RGA). What is more, at the time of writing, any illegal participation in online gambling in Singapore has been fineable up to $5,000, 6 months of jail or both. However, in 2016, local land-based operators Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club have been granted permission to operate in the industry.
The RGA is enforced by the Gambling Regulatory Unit (GRU), which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Working closely with some other authorities, MHA can implement specific measures like blocking payments from certain websites and those same websites in their entirety. MHA and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) also work closely on tackling problem gambling.
So, What's Legal and What's Not in Terms of Singapore Online Casino Rules?
Casino gaming (including slots and table games), poker, and bingo are all prohibited in Singapore unless played in two regulated land-based casinos. The same goes for betting and sports/horse race betting.
The only two branches of online betting in Singapore allowed are Singapore Pools (Private) Limited (SPPL) and the Singapore Turf Club (STC). The RGA also prohibits online fantasy sports betting since it, technically, is viewed as a game of chance.
When it comes to online public lotteries in Singapore, they are also prohibited by the RGA.
Skill games and competitions, as well as social gaming with no element of money prize, aren't considered gambling and are, therefore, allowed. To be precise, there is no Singapore legislation in place concerning these types of activities.
Online Casino Singapore Legal: Betting in Singapore
If you've been building your plans for the future around the idea of becoming a professional gambler in Singapore, better start looking for another career and asap!
Thanks to the Remote Gambling Act enacted in 2014, any form of remote gambling in Singapore became illegal. What does remote gambling constitute? Remote gambling is any type of gambling on the Internet, via TV or radio, over the phone, or any other kind of communications technology. The only websites currently allowing betting (i.e., legal places to bet) are Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club. This further means you're restricted to 4D, horse racing, F1, and Toto. Poker and casino-style games are not on the gambling menu.
With the Remote Gambling Act in place, plenty of websites have been blocked and closed, and those that haven't are candidates for double safety checking. Even if a gambling website is based overseas, it doesn't make it secure for use. In fact, the Remote Gambling Act makes it illegal to use foreign remote betting services, regardless of their location.
Final Thoughts about Singapore Online Casino Gambling
If you plan on breaking the rules and start betting in Singapore, do keep in mind that any form of remote gambling in Singapore is prohibited - and this goes for both bookies and customers. Be extra careful when choosing a casino to play at; the best you can do is scroll through our list of casino online options to pick the most suitable gambling variant that won't get you in trouble!
