IMDA age screening requirement for app stores in Singapore takes effect

From 1 April 2026, app stores offering services in Singapore must screen users and help prevent those estimated to be below 18 years old from downloading age-restricted or inappropriate apps, including the Singapore Pools app. The requirement comes from the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Singapore's communications and media regulator¹.

Singapore Pools set out the change in an update to its mobile app FAQ. The operator said the rule covers its own app, which it describes as giving access to online betting services, lottery results, and sports fixtures and results from the only official source, and which also lets users place bets at outlets by QR code instead of using betslips¹.

The verification a user sees depends on the app store and their account settings. Singapore Pools said users may be prompted to verify their age through methods such as ID checks, Singpass, or other steps, and that the latest requirements and supported methods should be checked with the app store provider because processes can change¹. For the Apple App Store, Singapore Pools said Apple has stated that age assurance methods for Singapore users may include linking a credit card to an Apple Account or scanning government-issued identification or a driver's license, and that Apple has stated credit card or ID documents are not stored unless the user chooses to save them for other purposes¹.

Singapore Pools also said deposits to a Singapore Pools Account are restricted to payment modes offered inside the mobile app, and that credit card is not among them, so a card used for age verification cannot be used to deposit¹.

The app is compatible with Android 13 and above and iOS 16 and above as of Dec-25, and beta versions are not supported¹. The Singapore Pools Account App is not available for download on the Google Play Store because of Google's internal policy, and Android users are directed to download it only from the official Singapore Pools website¹. Singapore Pools advises Android users to disable "Unknown sources" after installing the app, to prevent installation of applications from external sources, and says it runs security testing and code review before releasing its apps¹. Sessions are logged out after more than 30 minutes of inactivity or when another session starts, and the app cannot be accessed from overseas¹.

What it means for players

For anyone in Singapore using an app store account, downloading or updating the Singapore Pools app may now involve an age check before the download proceeds. The check is run by the app store, not by Singapore Pools, so the method offered depends on the store and the user's account settings¹. A visitor or new resident whose app store account carries no age information may be asked for more, such as a linked card or a scan of government-issued ID or a driver's license on Apple devices¹.

The requirement applies to downloads and updates, so an existing installation is not removed by it. Singapore Pools said account settings and subscriptions are not affected by reinstalling the app¹. Android users outside the Play Store route continue to install from the Singapore Pools website, where the operator warns against versions hosted on unverified sites¹. Deposits remain limited to the modes inside the app, which exclude credit card¹.

What happens next

The requirement took effect on 1 April 2026. Singapore Pools said app store age assurance processes may change over time and directs users to their app store provider for the latest requirements and supported verification methods¹. No further dates have been announced.