Singapore's Casino Control (Amendment) Bill was read the first time on 6 August 2024 and published in the Bills Supplement the same day1. The bill, numbered 24/2024, amends the Casino Control Act 2006 and makes consequential and related amendments to the Gambling Control Act 2022 and the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore Act 20221. It states that it "comes into operation on a date that the Minister appoints by notification in the Gazette"1.
The bill deletes section 145 and inserts a new section 165AA covering persons self-excluded from a casino1. It also inserts a new section 156A1. A new definition of "casino-excluded person" covers people banned from entering or remaining on casino premises, or taking part in casino gambling or promotional games there, under an exclusion order under section 121 or 122, a family exclusion order, provisional family exclusion order or third party exclusion order under Part 10, section 165A, self-exclusion under section 165AA, or section 165D for the remainder of a month after reaching the maximum number of visits allowed by a visit limit1. The bill states that "a casino-excluded person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offense"1.
The bill changes the long title, replacing "gaming in casinos" with "gambling in casinos and the regulation of persons connected therewith", and replacing the reference to establishing the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore with wording to "provide for the functions of the National Council on Problem Gambling and measures against problem gambling"1. It also deletes a list of sections, including sections 83, 84, 86, 87, 89 to 92, 95, 97, 97A and 981.
On money, the bill replaces "$100" with "$150" in subsection (1)(a) and "$2,000" with "$3,000" in subsection (1)(b), and provides that "The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, vary the entry levies specified in subsection (1)"1. It addresses transactions where a casino operator pays "$4,000 or more (whether or not in cash) in a single transaction to a patron or to any person acting on behalf of a patron", and states that a person ordered to make payment to the other party "must do so within 30 days"1. It also provides that the Minister may prescribe, by order in the Gazette, the maximum gaming area for any casino and the maximum number of gaming machines and gaming programs for any casino1.
The bill also covers information sharing, stating that the Authority may issue a written notice to every casino operator to permit and require disclosure and sharing of certain information "to prevent and detect money laundering, terrorism financing or the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction", and that a casino operator who fails to comply "shall be liable to disciplinary action"1. It defines terms including "casino chip", "casino game", "gaming program" and "promotional game"1.
What it means for players
The bill's exclusion provisions set out who counts as a casino-excluded person in Singapore, covering exclusion orders, family and third party exclusion orders, self-exclusion and visit limits1. For anyone who gambles in Singapore, including locals, expats and visitors, the categories listed in the bill determine who is barred from entering or remaining on casino premises or taking part in casino gambling or promotional games there1. The bill states that a casino-excluded person who contravenes the relevant subsection commits an offense1. The entry levy figures in the bill change from $100 to $150 and from $2,000 to $3,000, with the Minister able to vary them by order in the Gazette1. The bill also provides for maximum gaming areas and maximum numbers of gaming machines and gaming programs to be prescribed by order1.
What happens next
The bill was read the first time on 6 August 20241. It comes into operation on a date the Minister appoints by notification in the Gazette1. No date for that commencement has been reported.
Sources1 sources
- Casino Control (Amendment) Bill - Singapore Statutes Online, sso.agc.gov.sg
