The Singapore Police Force published an advisory on 6 February 2023 setting out prize restrictions for games offered at amusement centers and fun fairs, and confirming that a temporary exemption order took effect the same day. The Gambling Control (High-Value Amusement Machines, Exemption) Order exempts operators from Section 18(1) of the Gambling Control Act and other selected provisions during a transition period running from 6 February 2023 to 29 February 2024 inclusive1.
Under Section 18(1), it is an offense for operators to offer prizes worth $100 or more for games of chance in amusement machines without a gambling license1. The advisory states that games in amusement machines increasingly carry elements of chance, and that high value prizes such as smartphones and gaming consoles are being offered. It says these two components effectively bring the operation of amusement centers and fun fairs closer to gambling1.
The Ministry of Home Affairs will impose three restrictions on prizes, taking effect from 1 March 20241:
| Restriction | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prize value | Must be under $100 |
| Prize type | No cash, cash equivalents, credit, merchant vouchers or coupons |
| Sell-back | Selling prizes back to operators is prohibited |
The advisory says MHA engaged operators on the restrictions beforehand, and that operators requested time for transition arrangements. In response, MHA will bring the new restrictions into effect from 1 March 20241.
For Category 3 Public Entertainment Licensees operating amusement centers and Category 4 Public Entertainment Licensees operating amusement machines, the restrictions will be introduced as licensing conditions under Public Entertainment Licences. The new conditions will be introduced upon renewal or issuance of new licenses starting from 1 March 2023, but will take effect only from 1 March 20241. For fun fairs, the restrictions will be introduced as exemption conditions under the Public Entertainments (Exemptions) Order on 1 March 2024, and fun fair operators must fulfill these conditions to continue to be exempted from a Public Entertainment license1.
"During the transition period from 6 February 2023 (today) to 29 February 2024 (inclusive), the Gambling Control (High-Value Amusement Machines, Exemption) Order will temporarily exempt operators from Section 18(1)1 and other selected provisions from the Gambling Control Act."
What it means for players
Until 29 February 2024, amusement centers and fun fairs in Singapore can continue to offer prizes worth $100 or more, and can continue to offer cash, cash equivalents, credit, merchant vouchers and coupons, and to buy prizes back from players, because operators are temporarily exempt from Section 18(1) and other selected provisions1. From 1 March 2024, prizes at these venues must be worth under $100, cash and cash equivalents and merchant vouchers and coupons cannot be offered as prizes, and operators cannot buy prizes back1. The rules apply to amusement centers and fun fairs, not to licensed gambling operators. The advisory does not state how the restrictions will be enforced at individual venues, and no penalty figures for breaches of the new conditions have been reported1.
What happens next
New licensing conditions for amusement center and amusement machine licensees will be introduced on renewal or issuance of new licenses from 1 March 2023, but take effect only from 1 March 20241. For fun fairs, the exemption conditions under the Public Entertainments (Exemptions) Order take effect on 1 March 20241. The transition period and the exemption order end on 29 February 20241. The advisory points to a list of frequently asked questions and to the Police Regulatory Department and MHA for further queries1.
For background on how these machines are treated across the region, see Arcade Prize Games and Gaming Machines Outside Casinos: The Law and Gambling Laws in Asia: What Is Legal in 12 Jurisdictions. For the Singapore market specifically, see Can I Gamble in Singapore? and Which Gambling Operators Are Licensed in Singapore?.
