Online gambling is illegal in Singapore, although the fraction of the overall population that gambles ranks second in the world, despite this.
To put it another way, Singapore is an island city-state with a relatively tiny population compared to other Asian countries and an exceedingly wealthy one.
Does Singapore allow online gambling?
Does it matter if you're wondering if online gambling is permitted in Singapore? If you aren't a citizen of the country, then you are clearly not a local. Sports betting on horse racing, football, etc., and lotteries can only be wagered lawfully through Singapore Pools, which are located in the city-state.
While several countries have had gambling regulations in place since the 1950s and have not modified them since the latest online casino Singapore rules were implemented in 2014.
There was even talk of ”remote” gambling, which is defined as any sort of web or telephone gambling done remotely. Because of their ties to criminality, cockfights, gambling dens, and the likes were outlawed in Singapore in 1820, making gambling illegal.
Singapore's legal attitude toward gambling hasn't changed much since then, despite the fact that a considerable percentage of the population would partake in illicit internet gambling in Singapore in the 2020s.
Instances where gambling is allowed and prohibited in Singapore
The CGHA makes it illegal to gamble in a "common gaming house." When we talk about a "common gaming house," we're talking about any location where people congregate to gamble, whether it's a casino or a local bar.
To put it another way, whether or not a person's gambling behavior falls under the definition of an illegal act hinges on whether or not the gambling location is being utilized for gaming.
Gambling in private
Despite the fact that the CGHA doesn't really define private gaming, it is widely understood to mean gambling at a location where the general public does not have easy access (e.g. at home). Private gambling is illegal if the location is kept as a basic house mainly for the purpose of engaging in habitual gaming.
There is a $5,000 fine for anyone caught in the act of playing in an open gaming house, as well as a six-month prison sentence for anyone convicted of both.
Gambling in public
Any place with 10 or more employees is considered a venue where the public is allowed to gamble, and as such, it is considered gambling in public. Gambling in a public place is illegal. It may be prohibited to gamble during someone's funeral because the funeral home is a public location.
Gambling through bookmakers
The Betting Act governs the activity of bookmakers. A bookmaker is someone who accepts or tries to negotiate bets or wagers for money or money's worth in cash or credit under the Betting Act.
Using a private bookmaker (often referred to as a "bookie") to place a bet or wager in any location or manner constitutes an offense. A fine of up to $5,000, or six months in prison, or both, can be imposed on offenders.
Singapore Pools and the Tote Board, as well as the licensed casinos here, are all excluded from the new law.
Gambling consequences you need to know
In the case that you have engaged in illegal online casino gambling, you may be subject to a payment restriction order from a financial institution.
You may not be surprised to learn that you can be detained without a warrant as well. Under the RGA, anyone convicted of illegal remote gambling faces a fine of up to $5,000, a period of imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
Gambling workarounds
Gambling in public or at a common gaming establishment where frequent gaming occurs is unlawful and can lead to you being prosecuted for illegal gambling. Be wary with private bookmakers and only place bets with licensed bookmakers. You should also avoid using exempt operators to circumvent the age limit for betting.
