Bad news for fans of online poker and other games — a new bill was introduced in Parliament yesterday that seeks to ban and regulate the remote gambling industry.
Channel NewsAsia reports that the Remote Gambling Bill will define the activities that fall under its parameters and give authorities power to shut down such activities. This would mean that gambling on the internet, mobile apps and any other forms of communication will be affected and possibly curbed. Social games on Facebook and the various card game smartphone apps that involve monetary gains and loss will therefore find themselves prohibited.
The Bill will target gamblers, betting agents, operators and syndicates regardless of where the remote gambling operator is based in. Authorities have the power to block website access and financial transactions.
However, remote gambling operators can apply to be exempted from the regulation if they meet certain criteria including being based in Singapore, having a good track record with legal and regulatory requirements and more. Even so, they will be subjected to strict operating conditions, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated.
Gerald Singham, a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling believes that the Government is trying to move gamblers towards authorised operators who have been fitted with social safeguards.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Read Also: OMG: 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver' takes Singapore anti-gambling ad to greater heights
Bad news for fans of online poker and other games — a new bill was introduced in Parliament yesterday that seeks to ban and regulate the remote gambling industry.
Channel NewsAsia reports that the Remote Gambling Bill will define the activities that fall under its parameters and give authorities power to shut down such activities. This would mean that gambling on the internet, mobile apps and any other forms of communication will be affected and possibly curbed. Social games on Facebook and the various card game smartphone apps that involve monetary gains and loss will therefore find themselves prohibited.
The Bill will target gamblers, betting agents, operators and syndicates regardless of where the remote gambling operator is based in. Authorities have the power to block website access and financial transactions.
However, remote gambling operators can apply to be exempted from the regulation if they meet certain criteria including being based in Singapore, having a good track record with legal and regulatory requirements and more. Even so, they will be subjected to strict operating conditions, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated.
Gerald Singham, a member of the National Council on Problem Gambling believes that the Government is trying to move gamblers towards authorised operators who have been fitted with social safeguards.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Read Also: OMG: 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver' takes Singapore anti-gambling ad to greater heights