Sections 3, 13 and 14 of Singapore's Law Enforcement and Other Matters Act 2024 commenced on 1 January 20251. Section 3 inserts a new Part 6A into the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906, creating offenses relating to the misuse of SIM cards1. Sections 13 and 14 amend the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008 and the Police Force Act 20041.
The Act was passed by Parliament on 2 April 2024 and assented to by the President on 24 April 20241. It commenced in three tranches: sections 2, 4 to 8, 11, 12 and Part 4 on 17 June 2024; sections 9 and 10 on 18 November 2024; and sections 3, 13 and 14 on 1 January 20251. The Act's long title describes it as an Act to amend the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906, the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008, the Police Force Act 2004 and certain other Acts1.
Part 6A covers three main offenses. Section 39B makes it an offense to provide, or offer to provide, a SIM card registered using a person's own personal information, knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe it is for committing or facilitating an offense, or for causing wrongful gain or wrongful loss1. Section 39C covers providing or consenting to the use of one's personal information to register a SIM card on the same basis1. Section 39D covers buying, renting, borrowing or receiving, or selling, renting, lending or supplying, a SIM card registered using another person's personal information, or an unregistered SIM card, for criminal activity1.
Penalties differ by offense and offender:
| Offence | Individual | Other cases |
|---|---|---|
| Section 39B(1) | Fine up to $10,000, jail up to 3 years, or both | Fine up to $20,000 |
| Section 39C(1) | Fine up to $10,000, jail up to 3 years, or both | Fine up to $20,000 |
| Section 39D(1) or (2) | Fine up to $10,000, jail up to 3 years, or both; second or subsequent conviction: fine up to $20,000, jail up to 5 years, or both | Not stated in the quoted provisions |
Every offense under Part 6A is deemed an arrestable offense within the meaning of the Criminal Procedure Code 20101. An offense under section 39B(1), 39C(1), 39D(1) or (2), 39F(1) or 39G(1) committed wholly or partly outside Singapore may be dealt with as if it had been committed wholly within Singapore1.
The Act also amends the Casino Control Act 2006 (section 5) and the Gambling Control Act 2022 (section 7)1. The text of those amendments is not set out in the quoted material.
"An Act to amend the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906, the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008, the Police Force Act 2004 and certain other Acts to update and enhance certain procedures relating to law enforcement, insert new offenses and update other matters."
What it means for players
The new offenses target the SIM cards used to open and verify betting and gambling accounts, not betting itself. A person who hands over a SIM card registered in their own name, or who lets someone else register a SIM card with their personal information, can be liable if they know or have reasonable grounds to believe it will be used to commit an offense or to cause wrongful gain or wrongful loss1. Buying or receiving a SIM card registered to someone else, or an unregistered SIM card, for that purpose is also an offense1.
The provisions apply to conduct committed wholly or partly outside Singapore, so the location of the act is not by itself a defense1. Offenses under Part 6A are arrestable1. The Act also amends the Casino Control Act 2006 and the Gambling Control Act 2022, but the quoted material does not describe what those amendments change1.
What happens next
The commencement dates for all three tranches are set out in the Act: 17 June 2024, 18 November 2024 and 1 January 20251. No further commencement dates are listed in the quoted material. The pages carrying these provisions are marked "Uncommenced", which is inconsistent with the commencement dates shown on the same pages; the reason for that status is not explained in the material1.
For the wider regional picture, see Gambling Laws in Asia: What Is Legal in 12 Jurisdictions and Can I Gamble in Singapore?.
