Singapore introduces remote gambling bill

Singapore has introduced to parliament the first reading of the Remote Gambling Bill to help structure a legislative framework to control and regulate online gambling in the country.

The bill will cover all aspects of “Remote Gambling” such as the internet, telephone and all other forms of placing gambling bets.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the global remote gambling industry is large and growing rapidly and many countries have been reviewing their regulatory regimes.

Gabling in Singapore is strictly controlled and is only allowed with a permitted license, however remote gambling is still in a grey area as Singapore law was enacted prior to the online gambling explosion.

In the bill will focus on the vulnerable in society who are at danger from gambling, it will also enable the government to introduce a comprehensive set of blocking measures such as website blocking, payment blocking and advertising bans.

If and how any online gambling operators will be allowed to offer services in Singapore legally is unsure at present, but what is sure will there will now be strong controls and regulations towards online gambling from now on.