Two Bills Introduced in Parliament to Overhaul Singapore's Gambling Regulatory Regime
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The Gambling Control Bill and the G gambling regulatory authority bill were read for the first time in Parliament on 14 February 2022. Their introduction marks the next stage of the reform of Singapore's gambling regime.
The GRA Bill will establish a Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore to regulate the entire gambling landscape in Singapore.
Two Bills have been introduced in Parliament to overhaul Singapore's Gambling regulatory regime.
Two Bills were introduced in Parliament to overhaul Singapore's Gambling regulatory regime. The GC Bill will update gambling laws and regulatory approaches to keep pace with the evolving gambling landscape. It will also legalise physical social gambling and criminalise underage and proxy gambling.
Update gambling laws and regulatory approaches to keep pace with the evolving gambling landscape. Legalise physical social gambling and criminalise underage and proxy gambling.
Two Bills Introduced in Parliament to Overhaul Singapore's Gambling regulatory regime. The Casino Regulatory Authority will take over as the single regulator for all forms of gambling.
GC Bill seeks to consolidate, replace and modernise four pieces of existing legislation. It is a lengthy piece of legislation spanning 275 pages.
Two Bills were introduced in Parliament to overhaul Singapore's Gambling regulatory regime. The definition of the term "gambling" has been amended. It is now defined as betting, gaming and participating in lotteries. The authorities are trying to adopt a wide definition to capture emerging gambling products. For example, many competitive sports contain elements of chance. In these games, the player who goes first would gain an advantage. This is the case in snooker and chess. They are widely recognised as games of skill. However, with such a broad definition, some activities could be considered gambling even if not traditionally perceived to be "Gambling".
Two Bills Introduced in Parliament to Overhaul Singapore's Gambling Regulatory Regime. The GC Bill expands and clarifies the definition of a game of chance. It also defines the concept of money's worth. Lotteries are defined as arrangements, schemes, competitions or devices which do not require payment to participate. They also include the distribution of prizes based on chance, even if the arrangements involve a genuine or purported exercise of skill.
The Gambling Control Bill seeks to introduce changes to the definition of gambling. It also seeks clarification on the types of activities that constitute the conduct of a betting operation. The conduct is now defined as controlling or operating a computer server located in Singapore that allows people to play games of chance for a prize.
GC Bill seeks to legalise all forms of non-remote social gambling in Singapore. It is clear that only terrestrial social betting is exempted under the new laws. Remote social gaming is still illegal under GC Bill. Online social bets are exempt from the law. It remains to be seen how authorities will define what constitutes spontaneous non the remote gambling. The law also needs clarification on the criteria to distinguish between illegal and legal gambling activities within residential premises. Two Bills Introduced in Parliament to Overhaul Singapore's Gambling Regulatory Regime.
Gambling is conducted by an individual in premises that are either the individual's home or another individual’s home in Singapore. Participants are family members or individuals who know each other personally. The only way a participant in the gambling can make a profit or gain any benefit is by winning.
The GRA will be able to issue different types of gambling operator licences. It will also be empowered to grant licences for key gambling products such as fruit machines, betting and lottery products and gambling at private establishments. The G RA will have to consider the suitability of the applicants and their responsible executives and key officers. This is similar to the probity assessment carried out by the CRA on casino operators and international market agents under the Casino Control Act 2006. The GC Bill also provides for a new class licensing regime under which the Minister may issue such licences to operators offering lower-risk gambling product, such that the earlier mentioned S$100 prize cap applies.
Two Bills Introduced in Parliament to Overhaul Singapore's Gambling regulatory regime. They cover specified kinds of gambling, betting operations, conduct of gaming and conduct on lotteries.
New offence of proxy gambling introduced in GC Bill. Punter can send a proxy to gamble on the decision-maker's behalf in casinos or fruit machines rooms. Both the punter and the proxy may be arrested and liable to a conviction to fine not exceeding S$10,000 or an imprisonment term not more than 12 months.
Two Bills were introduced in Parliament to overhaul Singapore's Gambling regulatory regime. Under the new GC Bill, there are no changes to the minimum age for gambling. It will be an offence for underaged individuals to gamble, whether with legal or unlawful operators. An underage person who contravenes the prohibitions will face a fine not exceeding S$1,500.
The threshold for proving an advertising and promotion offence is lower for unlawful online gambling than for illegal terrestrial gambling. The new GC Bill is set to decrease the threshold of proof for such offences. It is also intended to standardise the treatment of A&P offences across gambling modalities. A person commits an offence if they advertise unlawful gambling or promote unlawful betting. Third parties have to ensure they only advertise lawful gambling, or risk being liable under the offence. The GRA is empowered to order corrective measures in relation to unlawful advertisements. Failure to comply with such an order would make one liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not more than 2 years.
Currently, families of problem gamblers can apply to the National Council on Problem Gambling for an exclusion order against their problem players. The enforcement of the exclusion orders is left up to casinos, the clubs and Singapore Pools. It is now an offence for people under an order to gamble or enter into gambling areas where the exclusions are applicable.
Two Bills Introduced in Parliament to Overhaul Singapore's Gambling Regulatory Regime. GC Bill proposes to apply a three-tier penalty structure for unlawful gambling offences across both online and terrestrial unlawful activities.
Agents and operators who facilitate or operate unlawful gambling services are liable to more onerous penalties. They are also liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$200,000 and to imprisonment for a term not more than 5 years. Repeat offenders are punished with a maximum fine of S $700,00 and imprisonment not less than 10 years for repeat offenders.
An agent who facilitates others to gamble illegally shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$200,000 and be punished with imprisonment for a term not more than 5 years. A repeat offender shall also be guilty of a similar offence and punished to S $300,00 and 7 years in prison. An operator of an illegal gambling service shall have to pay a S-700, 000 fine and 10 years of imprisonment.
Two Bills were introduced in Parliament to overhaul Singapore's Gambling regulatory regime. The GRA Bill consolidates almost all the power and responsibility for regulating gambling into the G RA. It is expected that many clarifications will be sought in respect of these bills. The Government will monitor the Parliamentary debates and provide further updates where appropriate. . . For confidential support call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90, visit a local Samaritan branch or click here. for details.. In the U.S. call 1-800-273-8255.
