Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JAN 2023年1月 亞博匯 38 COVER STORY model, the Singapore Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA) outlined plans to establish a new entity called the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), tasked with regulating the entire gambling landscape in Singapore. The GRA, it was revealed, would replace the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) – established in 2008 following the award of Singapore’s first and only casino licenses to Las Vegas Sands and Genting Group. It would also bring under its umbrella the regulation of remote gambling services and “fruit machines” previously governed by the Gambling Regulatory Unit, terrestrial gambling services overseen by the Singapore Totalisator Board, illegal gambling activities enforced by the Singapore Police Force and even responsible gambling measures currently controlled by the Ministry of Social and Family Development. This, the Ministry of Home Affairs said at the time, would “allow the Government to more effectively stay ahead of technological and gambling trends, respond more adequately to emerging gambling products, and take a more holistic and coherent approach to gambling policies.” The GRA officially took charge on 1 August 2022. In the lead up to the establishment of the new regulator, Singapore also passed two new bills which set the framework under which the GRA now operates. Most notable of these was the Gambling Control Bill, which criminalizes proxy betting and underage gambling but also places the onus onto Singapore’s casino operators to ensure such infractions do not take place. “Casinos will be liable to regulatory action, like financial penalties, if they fail to enforce this,” said Minister of State for Home Affairs, Desmond Tan, when the bill was passed in March. Other changes under the Gambling Control Bill include