"SINGAPORE: Online betting will become legal in Singapore under strict conditions, after the Government approved the applications of two operators, Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club.
In a statement on Thursday (Sep 28), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the two have been “found suitable” to be exempted from the Remote Gambling Act (RGA), which came into force in February 2015. The two operators plan to launch online services by November.
Turf Club and Singapore Pools will offer online gambling for existing games and lotteries. Singapore Pools will have lotteries for 4D and Toto, and online betting for football and Formula 1. Turf Club will offer horse-race betting online. Neither is allowed to offer new products without approval and casino games such as poker will not be available.
The ministry said Singapore Turf Club applied for exemption certificates in May last year, while Singapore Pools did so in July 2015. It said their exemption certificates, valid for three years, were approved after they met a list of criteria that included operating on a not-for-profit basis, having their surpluses channelled to social and charitable causes, and keeping services free from “criminal influence”.
The operators will also have to implement social safeguards, such as ensuring only those aged 21 and above are able to open player accounts and that punters are not gambling on credit. They will also be required to set daily funding and gambling limits.
The ministry said operators will be subject to regular audits and inspections. If either of the operators fail to comply with the conditions, they could be slapped with a penalty of up to S$1 million for each offence, as well as a potential revocation or suspension of its certificate.
Besides the financial penalties, MHA can also vary the exemption conditions, suspend and ultimately revoke the operators’ exemption status if they are unable to meet the conditions set. “These would be strong incentives for the management of the exempt operators to ensure that they comply with the conditions,” it said, adding that the operators’ not-for-profit status “reduces the incentive for them to pursue commercial benefits at the expense of their social responsibilities”.
Absolutely lovely to hear this news!! My glad that if u r into social services, it is OK to hv online betting.
I guessed it is better than the old excuses of if u don't do it others r n u lose out argument!! Oh wait, I seldom do this in the past because of the hassles of going physically to queue up to bet but now I can, n most likely will, bet online; so they probably getting more NEW gamblers, aah sorry it is betting not gambling, that will boost the money needed for not-for-profit social charitable work!
Some will call it ironical while the more politically incorrect one but honest one will it is hypocrisy n bullshxt!
Not wonder CHC leaders feel they were targeted as they should be allowed to use the church building fund to do good. Oops. Take that back as the learned judges might be influenced by what I wrote here n I m in contempt of the courts.
By the way, it will b interesting to find out how much the Board and the management of these NFP *Not-for-profit* organisations r drawing. Yes?
As for enforcement, how will the computer system know if it is a minor using his or her adult parents or "friends" acct to bet?
Singapore is not so unique anymore except we still hold on to death penalty for drug traffickers n caning. Oh n the new but not new contempt of courts laws.
Anyway, it is a done deal. So let's see how many NEW gamblers get addicted n how many will be saved by NAMS (National Addictions Management Services?).
When it comes to generating more money, can lah.
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