Singapore has proposed new laws aimed at preventing its two casinos from being used for money laundering and terrorism financing, under an updated bill reported on August 6, 2024. The bill would be the first amendment to the casino regulatory framework since 20121.
The proposed changes cover two specific areas. One would allow Singapore's two casino operators to share patrons' information with each other1. The other would make breaches of a Family Visit Limit a punishable offense1. A Family Visit Limit is a form of casino exclusion that restricts how often a family member can visit a casino.
The measures are described as an overhaul of casino regulation intended to keep the industry current with emerging risks and to protect vulnerable people from gambling harm1.
"The slew of measures are under a proposed updated bill that seeks to keep casinos abreast of emerging risks and protect vulnerable people from the harms of gambling."
"An overhaul to regulations for Singapore's two casinos will see proposed new laws to prevent them from becoming vessels for money laundering and terrorism financing."
The report did not name the two operators, specify the penalties for a Family Visit Limit breach, or state what patron information would be shared or under what conditions. It also did not say when the bill would be debated or take effect. Those details have not been reported1.
What it means for players
Singapore's casino market is served by two operators, and the proposed information-sharing provision would mean patron data held by one operator could be passed to the other1. For anyone who holds a casino exclusion or a visit limit, the practical change is that a Family Visit Limit breach could carry a penalty rather than being handled outside the criminal law1. The report did not set out what that penalty would be1.
The bill's stated purpose is to stop the casinos being used for money laundering and terrorism financing, which points to tighter scrutiny of how patrons are identified and tracked across both venues1. How that would work in practice at the cage, at the tables or at entry has not been reported1.
What happens next
The bill has been proposed. No date has been reported for its introduction, debate or passage, and no commencement date has been given1. The last amendment to the framework was in 20121.
