Singapore's Casino Control (Problem Gambling, Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 came into operation on 21 September 2026, the date the amended problem gambling provisions of the Casino Control Act 2006 took effect. The regulations were made on 14 September 2026 by the Minister for Social and Family Development under section 96(8) of the Casino Control (Amendment) Act 2024, and were first published in the Government Gazette on 18 September 20261.
The regulations define the "old law" as Part 10 of the Casino Control Act 2006 and the Casino Control (Problem Gambling, Exclusion Orders and Visit Limits) Rules 2008, as in force immediately before 21 September 2026. The "new law" is Part 10 of the Act as amended by sections 53 to 78 of the Amendment Act, together with the Casino Control (Problem Gambling, Council and Committee of Assessors) Rules 20261.
Under regulation 4, orders and limits in effect immediately before 21 September 2026 continue under the new law for the remainder of their period in force. The regulations set out the corresponding provisions:
| Old law | New law |
|---|---|
| Family exclusion order, section 162(1) | Family exclusion order, section 162(1) |
| Visit limit, section 163A(4) | Family visit limit, section 163A(4) |
| Provisional family exclusion order, section 164(1) | Provisional family exclusion order, section 164(1) |
| Exclusion order or visit limit, section 165(1) | Third party exclusion order or third party visit limit, section 165(1) |
| Exclusion, section 165A(3) | Exclusion, section 165A(3) |
| Self-exclusion, section 165A(4) | Self-exclusion, section 165AA(2) |
| Visit limit, section 165B(3) | Voluntary visit limit, section 165B(3) |
Regulation 5 provides that applications still awaiting a decision immediately before 21 September 2026 continue and are dealt with as if made under the new law. This covers applications for a family exclusion order under section 159(1), for a visit limit under section 163A(1), to set aside an order under section 165C(3), and to vary or revoke an order under section 166(1)1.
Regulation 6 covers written notices served before that date giving a person a reasonable opportunity to object under section 165(5) of the old law; these are treated as notices under the equivalent new law provision, and related proceedings continue under the new law. Regulation 7 provides that appeals pending under section 165(10) of the old law continue and are dealt with as appeals under section 165(10) of the new law against a third party exclusion order or third party visit limit1.
The regulations state:
"old law" means the provisions of Part 10 of the CCA 2006, and the Casino Control (Problem Gambling, Exclusion Orders and Visit Limits) Rules 2008 (G.N. No. S 623/2008), as in force immediately before 21 September 2026
What it means for players
For anyone subject to a casino exclusion order or visit limit in Singapore, the practical effect is continuity. An order or limit that was in force immediately before 21 September 2026 remains in force after that date, with the same remaining duration, but is now administered under the amended provisions. A self-exclusion under the old section 165A(4) is treated as a self-exclusion under section 165AA(2) of the new law1.
Applications and appeals that were already in progress are not restarted. A pending application for a family exclusion order, a visit limit, a setting aside or a variation is decided under the new law, and a pending appeal against a third party exclusion order or visit limit proceeds on the same basis1. The regulations do not change the grounds on which an order can be sought or the conduct that triggers one; they only move existing matters onto the new statutory footing.
The regulations do not state any change to the consequences of breaching an exclusion or visit limit, and no such change is reported in the gazetted text1. General background on warning signs, self-exclusion and support services across the region is set out in Safer Gambling in Asia, and the wider legal position is covered in Gambling Laws in Asia and Recent and Pending Gambling Law Changes in Asia.
What happens next
The regulations took effect on 21 September 2026, the same date as the amended Part 10 provisions. No further commencement dates, review dates or transitional deadlines are set out in the gazetted text1.
Sources1 sources
- 3a31b1f2-9eda-4aad-9945-1272b65229ee 1..6, sso.agc.gov.sg
