Singapore Government opens consultation on remote gambling

Thursday’s assurance by a Singapore deputy minister that the government intends to act against online gambling by imposing ISP, advertising and financial restrictions on operators has been followed by the launch of a public consultation inviting suggestions on how best to shield Singapore punters from online gambling.

A Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs official revealed Friday that the ministry, along with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and other government agencies, has been studying the issue of remote gambling in an enquiry that has included looking at the remote gambling landscape in general and regulatory approaches taken by other jurisdictions.

“Singapore has strict laws on gambling to maintain law and order and to minimise the potential harm, especially to the young and vulnerable,” said the spokesman. “We intend to extend this same approach to remote gambling by making it illegal unless there are exemptions.”

The spokesman said government plans to restrict remote gambling and will introduce laws to act against facilitators, intermediaries and providers of remote gambling services.

“We will introduce measures to block access to gambling websites, block payments to remote gambling operators and prohibit advertisements promoting remote gambling,” he said.

“We will also strengthen public education with regard to remote gambling and gambling simulation games. The above measures will send a clear signal of our regulatory stance.”

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