Singapore's two-casino limit is now written into the Casino Control Act 2006 with an end date of 31 December 2030. The change comes from Act 1 of 2022, which took effect on 1 March 20221.
Section 41 of the Act, titled "Two casinos only", states:
"The Authority must, during the period ending on (and including) 31 December 2030, ensure that there are not more than 2 casino licenses in force under this Act at any particular time."
The same section adds that "a casino license is to apply to one casino only"1. The "Authority" is defined in the Act as the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore, which is the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore continued and renamed under section 3 of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore Act 20221. Its function is to exercise licensing and regulatory functions over casino operations in Singapore1.
Applications for a casino license may be made only by the owner of a designated site where a casino is intended to be located, or, with the Authority's approval, by a person nominated by that owner1.
The Act also sets penalties for operating a casino without a valid license. For a first offense the penalty is a fine not exceeding $500,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 7 years, or both, with a further fine not exceeding $50,000 for each day the offense continues after conviction. For a second or subsequent offense the fine rises to not more than $700,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 101. In one case the court "is to order the payment by that person of a sum which is equal to that person's gross gaming revenue for the period that the offense was committed"1.
| Provision | Detail |
|---|---|
| Licence cap | Not more than 2 casino licenses in force at any one time1 |
| Cap period ends | 31 December 20301 |
| Amending Act | Act 1 of 2022, in force 1 March 20221 |
| Licences per casino | One casino license applies to one casino only1 |
The consolidated versions of the Act carry later amendments as well, including Act 14 of 2022 in force 1 August 2022, Act 31 of 2023 in force 31 December 2024, Act 24 of 2024 and Act 29 of 20241. The revised edition incorporates amendments up to and including 1 December 2021 and came into operation on 31 December 20211.
What it means for players
The cap fixes the number of licensed casino premises in Singapore at two for the period to the end of 2030. For anyone gambling in Singapore, whether a local, an expat or a visitor, the practical effect is that the choice of licensed casino venues stays as it is for now. The Act does not say which two casinos hold the licenses, and no change to the identity of the operators is set out in the text. The Act also does not state what happens to the license count after 31 December 2030; that has not been reported.
Licensing and regulatory functions sit with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore, so questions about license status, conditions and enforcement go to that body1. The offense provisions for unlicensed casino operation, including the gross gaming revenue payment order, apply to anyone operating a casino without a valid license1.
What happens next
The cap runs to 31 December 2030 inclusive1. No further steps, reviews or decisions on the license count after that date are set out in the sources.
Sources3 sources
- b2eac49f-3f75-4807-8bee-2b423828fe34 1..222, sso.agc.gov.sg
- 6686fb31-c40c-4d80-bfd1-92c2c66f9781 1..222, sso.agc.gov.sg
- 6686fb31-c40c-4d80-bfd1-92c2c66f9781 1..222, sso.agc.gov.sg
