Singapore remote gambling won´t affect social gaming

Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA), ahead of the Parliamentary debate on the new Remote Gambling Bill scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday), said the bill, which outlaws online gambling, will have little or no effect on social gaming.

Key provisions in the bill, which had its first Parliamentary reading on September 8, 2014, include ISP and payment blocking measures, criminalisation of remote gambling, prohibition of remote gambling advertising and promotion and a tightly controlled exemption regime.

A spokesperson from the Authority said they are happy to work with the games industry in clarifying concerns but that “the Bill will not impede the development of legitimate social media gaming businesses.

Singapore’s games sector is one of the fastest growing in the media sector and comprises over 60 game development, publishing and services companies.