New laws have come into effect in Singapore prohibiting proxy gambling and establishing the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) as the country’s single regulatory body supervising all forms of gambling.
The Gambling Control Act and the GRA Act, which took effect on Monday, August 1, were designed to strengthen Singapore’s gambling regulatory framework.
Proxy Gambling Now Banned in Singapore
The Gambling Control Act bans proxy gambling involving games outside a gaming machine room. Offenders could be slapped with a fine of up to SGD10,000 (US$7,240), or face up to one year in jail, or both. Gambling with minors, or taking part in a gambling activity on behalf of an underage individual is also prohibited under the new laws.
GRA Takes Over as Gambling Regulator
The GRA now becomes Singapore’s single regulatory body overseeing all forms of gambling, as well as emerging gambling products. The agency will also take charge of the country’s licensing regimes.
Under the GRA Act, the GRA is also authorized to issue a class license for lower-risk gambling products, including business promotion lucky draws. The class licensing regime eliminates the need for operators offering lower-risk services to obtain individual licenses from the GRA, however, they must comply with a certain set of requirements to get the class license.