Singapore police conducted more than 300 raids against illegal gambling activities in 2023 and arrested more than 450 people, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Family Development said in a joint press release on June 12, 20241. The figures were released as both ministries set out plans to step up enforcement and public education during Euro 2024, which ran from June 14 to July 141.
The police also worked with stakeholders to terminate phone numbers advertising illegal gambling and to close bank accounts involved in it, the ministries said1. The Gambling Regulatory Authority has blocked more than 3,400 illegal gambling websites, over 260 bank accounts and more than S$36 million (US$27 million) in payments linked to illegal remote gambling services1.
During the previous European Championship in 2021, 72 people in Singapore were arrested as part of an Interpol-led operation targeting illegal football gambling, and more than S$800,000 (US$591,423) in cash, as well as computers, laptops, mobile phones and other items, were seized, the Singapore Police Force said at the time1.
The ministries said Singapore Pools is the only operator licensed to provide lotteries and sports betting services in Singapore, and that gambling activities which are not licensed or exempted are not allowed in Singapore1.
"The police will take tough enforcement action against illegal gambling, including those who assist gambling syndicates"
The National Council on Problem Gambling and the National Crime Prevention Council strengthened public education and outreach during the tournament, with advertisements on TV, in newspapers, on out-of-home screens and on digital and social media platforms warning about the harms of excessive football betting and the risks of betting with illegal operators1. Collaterals were also distributed at community events1.
Penalties under Singapore law1:
| Offense | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|
| Conducting unlawful gambling | Fine up to S$500,000 and jail up to seven years |
| Conducting unlawful gambling, repeat offense | Fine up to S$700,000 and jail up to 10 years |
| Gambling with an unlicensed service provider | Fine up to S$10,000, jail up to six months, or both |
What it means for players
The figures cover enforcement against operators and those who assist them, not only bettors. For anyone in Singapore, the practical line is licensing: Singapore Pools is the only operator licensed for lotteries and sports betting, and betting with an unlicensed provider is itself an offense carrying a fine of up to S$10,000, jail of up to six months, or both1. That applies to residents, expats and visitors alike, and it covers remote services as well as physical bookmaking, given the blocks on illegal gambling websites and payments linked to illegal remote gambling1. The rules on what is permitted, and the penalties for gambling illegally in Singapore, are set out in the city's gambling law rather than left to operators to decide1. Anyone concerned about their own betting can call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1800-6-668-668 or use the webchat on NCPG's website1.
What happens next
No further dated steps have been reported1.
Sources1 sources
- Authorities to clamp down on illegal, problem gambling during Euro 2024 - CNA, channelnewsasia.com
