The Singapore Police Force (SPF) assumed responsibility for blocking access to unlawful remote gambling services, the advertising of such services and payment transactions with effect from 1 January 2025, taking over the functions from the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA)1. The GRA, which continues to license gambling in the city-state, announced the transfer on its harm minimization page1. A separate regional review of Asian gambling enforcement also records the change, describing the SPF as the frontline agency combating online gambling as of that date2.
Under Singapore law it is unlawful for any person to provide unlicensed remote gambling services in or from Singapore, or from outside Singapore to persons situated in Singapore1. Singapore Pools (Private) Limited is the only operator licensed by the GRA to provide remote gambling services1. The GRA states that it is also an offense for any person in Singapore to participate in unlicensed remote gambling activities1.
"With effect from 1 January 2025, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) has taken over the functions of blocking access to unlawful remote gambling services, the advertising of such services and payment transactions."
The penalties are set out in the same GRA guidance. An individual convicted of participating in unlicensed remote gambling faces a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both1. Anyone who conducts unlawful gambling faces a fine of up to $500,000 and up to 7 years in prison, rising for repeat offenders to a fine of up to $700,000 and up to 10 years1.
| Offence | Maximum penalty on conviction |
|---|---|
| Participating in unlicensed remote gambling (individual) | Fine up to $10,000, or up to 6 months in prison, or both1 |
| Conducting unlawful gambling | Fine up to $500,000 and up to 7 years in prison1 |
| Conducting unlawful gambling (repeat offender) | Fine up to $700,000 and up to 10 years in prison1 |
Blocking figures reported in the regional review put the scale of enforcement at more than 3,800 illegal gambling websites blocked since 31 December 2024, with more than 145,000 transactions amounting to SGD37 million (USD29 million) thwarted as of the same date2. A separate tourism-focused account of Singapore's rules states that over 3,800 illegal gambling websites have been blocked since 2015 and that more than 145,000 payment transactions totaling SGD37 million have been intercepted, citing Ministry of Home Affairs data reported in The Straits Times3. The two accounts differ on the starting point for the website figure, one dating it to 31 December 2024 and the other to 20152.
The regional review also notes that the Gambling Control Act 2022 expressly covers situations where gambling facilities are located outside Singapore, in part or in full, and that the prohibition applies even if offenders reside overseas as long as their customers are in Singapore2. Banks, technology platforms and e-wallet providers are expected to reject and delist gambling-related advertisements and applications while complying with anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and know your customer requirements2.
What it means for players
The practical effect of the transfer is that the agency handling site blocks, advertising blocks and payment blocks in Singapore is now the police rather than the GRA1. The underlying prohibitions did not change on 1 January 2025: unlicensed remote gambling remains unlawful to provide and to take part in, and Singapore Pools remains the only licensed remote gambling operator1. The rules apply to residents, citizens and visitors alike, and the tourism account states that online casino gambling remains strictly illegal in Singapore3. Singapore's social gambling exception applies only to physical, not-for-profit gambling among known persons and explicitly excludes online activity3. Legal remote gambling through Singapore Pools is limited to lotteries and sports betting, while physical casino gaming is confined to Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa under licensing conditions3. The GRA directs anyone who encounters unlawful remote gambling websites, applications or promotions to report them to the SPF through I-Witness1.
What happens next
No further dated steps are set out in the GRA notice beyond the 1 January 2025 transfer1. The regional review states that the amended Payment Services Act, including cross-border collection agency regulations, is expected to come into effect from 2026 onwards, with gambling funds explicitly subject to regulation, and that Singapore may align certain approaches with regional frameworks2.
