Singapore's casino tax moratorium period is now defined as 10 years beginning 1 March 2022 and ending 28 February 2032, under amendments to the Casino Control Act contained in the Gambling Duties Act 20221. The Act, numbered No. 1 of 2022, consolidates the law on the levy and collection of duties on lawful betting and lotteries and makes related amendments to the Casino Control Act regarding casino taxes and casino licenses1.
The Act's long title states it is "An Act to consolidate the law on levy and collection of duties on lawful betting and lotteries and to make related amendments to the Casino Control Act regarding casino taxes and casino licenses, to repeal the Betting and Sweepstake Duties Act, and to make consequential amendments to certain other Acts"1. The consolidated text carries the note "Informal Consolidation, version in force from 29/7/2022", and the casino amendments are marked "[Act 14 of 2022 wef 29/07/2022]"1.
The Act also sets out penalties for offenses under its returns, record keeping and information provisions. The text lists fines including $5,000, $12,500, $25,000, and terms of imprisonment, with separate limits depending on whether the person is an individual or not, and refers to a "special fine"1. It provides that "the IRAS may, in relation to any provision of this Act or the" regulations exercise specified powers, and that "All gambling duties and penalty taxes collected and recovered" are to be paid into the Consolidated Fund1. The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore administers the Act, and the Minister must appoint a Commissioner of Gambling Duties from among officers of the IRAS1.
The Act also establishes the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore, referred to as "the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore", and provides for the Minister to exempt any person by order in the Gazette1. It repeals the Betting and Sweepstake Duties Act and makes consequential amendments to the Goods and Services Tax Act, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Act, the Private Lotteries Act and the Singapore Totalisator Board Act1.
"moratorium period" means a period of 10 years"
What it means for players
The moratorium fixes the period during which the casino tax framework set out in the Casino Control Act applies without change, running to the end of 2030. For anyone gambling at Singapore's casinos, the practical effect is that the tax treatment of casino operations is locked in for that window. The Act also shifts the administration of gambling duties on lawful betting and lotteries to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, with a Commissioner of Gambling Duties appointed to oversee it1. Penalties for late returns, non-compliant record keeping, misleading returns, refusing to give or giving false information, and evasion are set out in the Act, with fines and imprisonment terms that differ for individuals and non-individuals1. The Act does not change the rules on which forms of gambling are legal; those sit in the Gambling Laws in Asia: What Is Legal in 12 Jurisdictions guide and the Can I Gamble in Singapore? page. How gambling winnings are taxed across the region is covered in Tax on Gambling Winnings in Asia: A Guide for Players, Visitors and Expats, and pending changes elsewhere are tracked in Recent and Pending Gambling Law Changes in Asia.
What happens next
The moratorium period ends 31 December 20301. The Act comes into operation on a date the Minister appoints by notification in the Gazette1. No further steps beyond those dates have been reported.
Sources1 sources
- 127052d7-a506-4ae4-a2b5-151bd0e312e8 1..65, sso.agc.gov.sg
