Singapore mulls stricter rules on remote gambling

Government to take proactive measures.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), conducted a public consultation exercise on the proposed framework to restrict remote gambling from 29 Nov 2013 to 10 Jan 2014.

MHA received feedback from a range of stakeholders including community and grassroots organisations, religious and social services groups, industry players as well as members of the public. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) also conducted stakeholder consultation sessions during this period.

According to the preliminary data revealed in Parliament by Second Home Affairs Minister S Iswaran "the majority of respondents welcomed and supported the Government’s move to restrict remote gambling and for Government to take proactive measures to deal with remote gambling.

Many respondents supported the implementation of measures to block access to remote gambling websites and payments to remote gambling operators."

He added, "some acknowledged that the blocking measures might not be foolproof and could be circumvented. However, they recognised that these measures would serve to make it difficult for an individual to gamble remotely and send a signal that remote gambling is prohibited.

There were also suggestions to set up a reporting channel for members of the public to inform the authorities about new remote gambling websites and illegal remote gambling activities, especially those that target Singaporeans.

Respondents also supported the prohibition of advertisements promoting remote gambling as such advertisements could encourage people, especially the young, to participate in remote gambling.MHA would like to thank all who participated in the public consultation exercise."

Together with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and other government agencies, the MHA will study the views and feedback received, and the experience of other jurisdictions, as it further develops the regulatory framework on remote gambling.