Singapore moves towards Hong Kong-style regulation
As consultation closes, Government thought to be edging towards to appointing Singapore Pools as country's sole remote operator
The Singapore Government’s attempts to restrict remote gambling in the country look set to result in the appointment of a single state-owned operator, eGaming Review understands.
Singapore Pools, the country’s only legal lottery operator, is believed to be the Government’s preferred operator for such a system and is currently exploring ways in which it could offer an online betting service.
Set up by the Singapore Government in 1968, Singapore Pools also offers telephone-based sports betting, with members able to log on to the operator’s website in order to check balances and account history.
Following the culmination of a six-week consultation period, which ended on 10 January, new legislation will now be drafted and put before Parliament as early as April, in time for the measures to come into effect ahead of this summer’s World Cup in June.
Regulation will only be applied to sports betting, with other forms of online gambling such as casino and poker to remain outlawed. The Government is also preparing to introduce ISP and financial transaction blocking in order to control the size of an expected black market.
A spokesperson for Singapore Pools refused to be drawn on the issue and said it would only comment after it has studied the pending legislation.
“As the public consultation on remote gambling by Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has just concluded, it is premature for the company to comment at this stage,” the spokesperson said.
The MHA also refused to comment and instead stated that it would be publishing a report on the consultation in the coming weeks.
The Singapore Government is said to be basing its model on the one currently operated in Hong Kong where the Hong Kong Jockey Club operates a monopolised betting service in order to control illegal gambling in the region.
Singapore’s remote gambling market is estimated to be worth SG$375m (£180m) and in November, the Singapore Government proposed to outlaw all forms of remote gambling, although stated at the time it would consider offering specific exemptions.