Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will impose new restrictions on prizes for games offered at amusement centers and fun fairs, the Singapore Police Force said in an advisory published on 6 February 2023. The conditions are introduced on renewal or issuance of licenses from 1 March 2023 but take effect only from 1 March 20241.
The restrictions are three: the value of prizes must be under $100; operators must not offer cash, cash equivalents, credit, merchant vouchers or coupons as prizes; and the sell-back of prizes to operators is prohibited1.
The police said games in amusement machines at these venues increasingly carry elements of chance, and that high-value prizes such as smartphones and gaming consoles are being offered. "These two components effectively bring the operation of amusement centers and fun fairs closer to gambling," the advisory states1.
"The new licensing conditions will be introduced upon the renewal or issuance of new licenses starting from 1 March 2023, but will take effect only from 1 March 2024."
How the rules apply depends on the type of operator:
| Operator | How the restrictions apply | When |
|---|---|---|
| Category 3 Public Entertainment Licensees operating amusement centers | Licensing conditions under Public Entertainment Licences | Introduced on renewal or new licenses from 1 March 2023; effective 1 March 2024 |
| Category 4 Public Entertainment Licensees operating amusement machines | Licensing conditions under Public Entertainment Licences | Introduced on renewal or new licenses from 1 March 2023; effective 1 March 2024 |
| Fun fair operators | Exemption conditions under the Public Entertainments (Exemptions) Order | 1 March 2024 |
Fun fair operators must meet the new conditions to remain exempt from holding a Public Entertainment license1.
MHA said it had engaged operators beforehand and that operators asked for time to adjust, which is why the restrictions start on 1 March 20241. During the transition period from 6 February 2023 to 29 February 2024 inclusive, the Gambling Control (High-Value Amusement Machines - Exemption) Order temporarily exempts operators from Section 18(1) of the Gambling Control Act and other selected provisions1. 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.
What it means for players
From 1 March 2024, prizes at amusement centers and fun fairs in Singapore cannot be worth $100 or more, and cannot be cash, cash equivalents, credit, merchant vouchers or coupons. Operators also cannot buy prizes back from players. Until 29 February 2024, the existing arrangements continue under the temporary exemption order, so prizes above that threshold may still appear during the transition. The advisory does not state how the $100 value is assessed, and no penalty figures for breaching the conditions have been reported.
What happens next
Licensing conditions begin to be attached on renewal or issuance of Category 3 and Category 4 Public Entertainment Licences from 1 March 2023. The conditions, and the fun fair exemption conditions, take effect on 1 March 2024. The police advisory points to a list of frequently asked questions and directs queries to the Police Regulatory Department and MHA1.
For background on how such licenses work, see gambling regulators and licenses in Asia and the public gambling license registers. Rules on prize games outside casinos are covered in arcade prize games and gaming machines outside casinos, and prize promotions in lucky draws, raffles and prize promotions. For the wider legal picture, see gambling laws in Asia and can I gamble in Singapore.
