"Several hundred" sites blocked in Singapore clampdown
List of banned operators, thought to include a number of leading UK-based firms, issued to domestic ISPs in Singapore
Singapore has blocked access to “several hundred” online gambling websites as part of a clampdown on illegal gambling following the introduction of new legislation in the country.
Singapore’s new gambling bill was passed in October last year and prohibited foreign operators from offering gambling services in the country, with citizens found to have accessed gambling sites liable for a fine of up to $5,000 and a six month custodial sentence.
The Straits Times said Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a list of domains to be banned, thought to include several leading UK-based operators, after the country’s new legislation effectively banning foreign operators from the country came into force yesterday.
The list of operators will be continually reviewed, and reports have suggested that the mobile domains of operators can still be accessed from within the country.
Attempts to make payments to these sites will be blocked and monitored by the country’s gambling regulatory unit, which will collaborate with other national regulators.