The first tranche of Singapore's Casino Control (Amendment) Act 2024 came into force on 30 October 2024, the date set out in the Act as published in the Acts Supplement on 3 October 20241. The Act was passed by Parliament on 10 September 2024 and assented to by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on 30 September 20241. A second tranche of provisions commences on 21 September 20261.
The Act amends the Casino Control Act 2006 and makes related changes to the Gambling Control Act 2022 and the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore Act 20221. Among the provisions commencing on 30 October 2024 are the entry levy increases. The Act replaces "$100" with "$150" in one subsection and "$2,000" with "$3,000" in another1. Under Singapore's two-tier levy system, the lower figure is the daily levy and the higher figure is the annual levy, both applying to citizens and permanent residents. The Act does not state in the text reviewed which tier each figure applies to beyond the subsection references.
The first tranche also covers amendments to the National Council on Problem Gambling framework. The Act defines "self-exclusion" as a ban of a person from entering or remaining on, or taking part in any casino gambling or promotional game on, all casino premises1. It provides that a person subject to self-exclusion remains so "until the Council revokes the self-exclusion"1. The Council must consist of not less than 8 and not more than 20 members, including the chairperson and every vice-chairperson1. The Minister may appoint a former member of the Council as a special affiliate and may revoke that appointment at any time1.
Other provisions in the first tranche include a requirement for casino operators to prepare annual financial statements complying with Accounting Standards and giving a true and fair view of financial position and performance1. The Act also allows the appointment of a special auditor, with the cost recoverable from the casino operator1. Section 145 of the principal Act is deleted1. The Act also changes "2 years" to "3 years" in one provision1 and replaces "30 days of being notified of the decision of the Committee" with "the prescribed period"1.
The second tranche, commencing 21 September 2026, covers a larger set of sections, including amendments to definitions of casino games, gaming machines, gaming programs and jackpot arrangements, and provisions on exclusion orders and visit limits1.
What it means for players
For Singapore citizens and permanent residents, the entry levy at the two integrated resorts rises from the figures previously in force. The Act replaces $100 with $150 and $2,000 with $3,0001. Foreign visitors are not subject to the entry levy under the Casino Control Act framework. The practical effect is that locals now pay more to enter the casino floor at Marina Bay Sands or Resorts World Sentosa.
The expanded self-exclusion and Council provisions affect how bans work. A self-exclusion now covers all casino premises and remains in place until the Council revokes it1. The Council can also substitute a family exclusion order with a family visit limit if satisfied the requirements are met1. Third party exclusion orders and visit limits remain part of the framework1.
What happens next
The remaining provisions of the Act commence on 21 September 20261. These include the bulk of the definitional changes to casino games, gaming machines and gaming programs, and the exclusion order and visit limit amendments. The Act does not set out further commencement dates beyond those two1.
For more on how the levy works, see Singapore's Casino Entry Levy: Who Pays and How Much and Casino Entry Levies and Fees in Asia. For the wider regulatory picture, see Recent and Pending Gambling Law Changes in Asia and Gambling Laws in Asia: What Is Legal in 12 Jurisdictions. For entry rules at the two resorts, see Casinos in Singapore: Who Can Go In and Can I Gamble in Singapore?.
Sources1 sources
- Casino Control (Amendment) Act 2024 - Singapore Statutes Online, sso.agc.gov.sg
