Singapore's entry levy for its two casinos was amended by Act 29 of 2024, which took effect on 30 October 2024, according to the current text of the Casino Control Act 20061. The Act sets the levy at $150 for every consecutive period of 24 hours and $3,000 for a valid annual membership of the casino1.
The levy applies to citizens and permanent residents of Singapore. Under the Act, a casino operator must not allow any person who is a citizen of Singapore or permanent resident of Singapore to enter or remain on the casino premises at any time on any day unless the person has paid the entry levy to the casino operator1. The Act also states that only two casinos are permitted1.
The Act sets penalties for non-payment. A person who fails to pay is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,500, and is also liable for the amount of the entry levy1. A separate provision applies the same $1,500 fine to a person who overstays, with liability for the entry levy in respect of the overstay period1. A casino operator who contravenes the entry levy provisions is liable to disciplinary action1.
All entry levies collected by a casino operator must be paid to the Singapore Totalisator Board within the prescribed time and must be used by that Board for public, social or charitable purposes in Singapore1. The Minister may vary the entry levies by order in the Gazette1.
The Act also carries other commencement dates. The Act prohibits automatic teller machines within casino premises and bars minors from entering casino premises1.
"a casino operator must not allow any person who is a citizen of Singapore or permanent resident of Singapore to enter or remain on the casino premises at any time on any day unless the person has paid to the casino operator an entry levy"
What it means for players
For Singapore citizens and permanent residents, the cost of entering either casino is $150 for each 24 hour period, or $3,000 for an annual membership1. The levy is paid to the casino operator before entry, and the operator must not let a citizen or permanent resident enter or remain without it1. Foreign visitors are not covered by the citizen and permanent resident requirement in the Act1.
Failure to pay carries a fine of up to $1,500 on conviction, plus the levy amount owed, and overstaying carries the same fine plus the levy for the overstay period1. The Act also bars minors from casino premises and prohibits ATMs inside them1.
What happens next
The Minister may vary the entry levies by order in the Gazette, but no further change to the amounts has been reported1.
Sources1 sources
- Casino Control Act 2006 - Singapore Statutes Online, sso.agc.gov.sg
