Since Singapore gained its independence in 1963, some traditional forms of gambling like 4D, Toto, horse racing, Singapore Sweep, private lottery clubs, and football betting have been legalized over time. For several decades casinos in Indonesia was banned up until 2005 when the authorities decided to legalize casino gambling.
As the government of Singapore loosened its casino policy, they've gone even harder on live gambling sites in the years that followed. In 2014 a legislation titled the Remote Gambling Bill was passed, which made all internet gambling activities illegal in the country, only excluding casino operators that are specifically legalized by other legislative documents or possessing a special license.
This legislation made illegal the following activities:
- Running an live online gambling site (domestically and from abroad)
- Advertising online gambling activities and brands
- Making financial transactions that are related to online gambling
- Internet providers do not meet the authorities ban requirements
- Individual players that don't follow the authorities ban requirements
The players that will break the law regarding online gambling will face fines of up to $5,000 and/or 6 months in prison. Every person that is running an illegal gambling operation in Singapore will face a fine that ranges between $20,000 and $500,000 and/or 7 years in prison.
As players can note, Singapore laws that forbid live casino gambling are very strict, and the ban on foreign casino operators and bank transactions is widely enforced. Some reports indicate that the authorities are planning to ban live casino sites that use circumvention software, such as VPNs.
Regulation Laws and Authorities
Taking into consideration the fact that live casinos are illegal in Singapore, there isn't a devoted authority that regulates the live gambling industry. As for the land-based casinos and other forms of gambling, besides online, there are two regulatory bodies that are overseeing this kind of activity.
First on the list is the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore (CRA), which is an organization under the Ministry of Home Affairs of Singapore. Their main objective is ensuring that the casino management and the operation of the casinos in Singapore remain free from criminal activities or exploitation.
Also, they make sure that the gaming in the casinos is conducted honestly, and that minors, vulnerable persons, and society as a whole are not harmed by the casinos.
Second and last on the list is the Gambling Regulatory Unit (GRU) which is also under the Ministry of Home Affairs of Singapore. Their main purpose is to control fruit machines and remote gambling activities.
