It’s no secret that Singapore’s government isn’t a huge fan of gambling. When it comes to online betting, most countries are a little lax, but Singapore isn’t one of them. About 120 people were arrested for illicit online gaming in 2016. In February of 2014, the Remote Gambling Act was passed. The Singaporean government was able to double down on illicit gambling as a result of this. Hundreds of online gambling sites have been shut down, and many people have been arrested. However, the statute does not completely prohibit gambling.
A single blunder can land you in some dangerous hot water. Taking this into account, let’s look at the laws and regulations governing online gambling in Singapore. This is so that you can enjoy this betting season without fear of legal repercussions.
The 2014 Remote Gambling Act
The Remote Gambling Act of 2014 made online gambling illegal in Singapore. In a nutshell, it is the primary law governing any form of remote gambling, such as gambling conducted over the internet, radio, telephones, or any other electronic device through which you can communicate. The Act prohibits all types of gambling. Unless it’s with a recognized organization–one that the government has authorized. Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club are the only two places where you can gamble right now. They have valid exemption certificates.
If you violate this rule, you might face a 6-month prison sentence or a $5000 fine. So, if you want to gamble on anything other than these two platforms, make sure your earnings are worth it. However, if it were up to us, we’d avoid every other bookmaker. A single bet isn’t worth getting into legal trouble for, no matter how high the future profits are.
Singapore has legalized online gambling.
Finally, there are two excluded organizations – Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club – in which you can legally bet. You might be disappointed if you were hoping for an experience that matched the vivid photoluminescent atmosphere of Las Vegas. The betting choices at both establishments are small. Only horse races, football, and lottery games like Toto, 4D, and Singapore Sweep are available for wagering. Online slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, and other live casino games are not available. To open an account with either of the two operators, you must be at least 21 years old.
Officials stated that this change was made to discourage gambling from being carried out illegally. Maybe the aim was to strike a balance by giving people what they wanted. That is, the opportunity to place bets on some of the most common betting choices in the country without going overboard. However, more operators may be issued exemption certificates soon. On the other hand, the courts have not shied away from imposing stricter penalties on those who violate the law. For the time being, it’s better to stick to legal methods.