Singapore is known for having relatively strict gambling laws compared to other developed countries. The city-state of Singapore prohibits all forms of gambling outside of state-run lotteries. This also includes sports betting, which has become very popular all over the world Very recently. Does the ban cover betting on sports on sites in other countries? Let us find out what the law says about sports betting in Singapore.
Gambling Laws in Singapore
Singapore has adopted a highly prohibitive approach towards gambling within its borders ever since independence. The main legislation governing gambling activities is the Remote Gambling Act (2014) and the Common Gaming Houses Act (1961). Per these laws, running or participating in unauthorized lottery, game, or gambling activity can lead to fines and imprisonment. The rationale is to limit the detrimental impacts of problem gambling.
The Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club are the only authorized gambling operators that offer sanctioned lotteries and sports betting. Few brick-and-mortar casinos have existed since the Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa opened. Apart from these regulated options, all other forms of gambling are banned.
Status of Online Sports Betting
Unlike land-based gambling, the Remote Gambling Act explicitly prohibits online gambling hosted on Singapore-based servers and websites. It is an offense for remote gambling operators to provide services to customers in Singapore. This effectively makes illegal sports betting sites hosted in Singapore.
However, the law does not expressly forbid citizens from accessing and using offshore online betting sites. So, despite the ban on domestic remote gambling services, people can still legally bet on international sportsbooks outside Singapore. These international sites are fully regulated in their home countries but accept Singaporean players.
Popular Sports for Betting
Some popular sports that Singaporeans bet on include:
Football – As the global favorite, football sees tremendous betting volumes across Asian handicaps, totals, props, and futures.
Basketball – The NBA draws intense betting interest and major competitions like March Madness.
Soccer – Major leagues like the EPL and Champions League are hot targets for soccer betting.
MMA and Boxing – High-profile fights generate substantial betting activity in Singapore.
eSports – Competitive video gaming has emerged as a hot new category.
Formula One – One of the biggest events is the Singapore Grand Prix.
Betting on Singapore’s National Sport – Football
Football is massively popular in Singapore, both for betting and viewership. Given its strong global following, the local Singapore Premier League sees high betting volumes, as do tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the English Premier League. Top teams like Manchester United and Liverpool FC have official fan clubs with thousands of members in the city-state.
Bookmakers offer a wide selection of football betting markets, including:
- Match winner
- Total goals scored
- Both teams scored
- Correct score
- First/last goalscorer
- Asian handicaps
- Parlay bets
With rising enthusiasm about football, Singapore lifted a decades-old ban on live sports broadcasting in cafes and restaurants to allow the screening of World Cup matches in 2018. The move indicates gradually liberalizing attitudes around sports engagement.
Responsible Gambling Concerns
Despite some relativism around enforcement, sports betting remains technically illegal in Singapore. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) helpline received over 2,700 calls in 2021, though most concerned lawful lotteries. Unregulated offshore bookmakers raise concerns about responsible gambling practices. Warning signs of compulsive betting behavior include:
- Spending beyond means
- Obsessive tracking of odds
- Chasing losses
- Impacts on work, studies, and relationships
- Concealing activity and amounts gambled
To promote healthy participation, operators in legalized regimes implement safeguards like deposit limits, timeout periods, and self-exclusion options. But such features remain voluntary on offshore sportsbooks. More consumer education and family support are vital, along with measured legalization that prioritizes mitigating problem gambling risk.
Getting Around ISP Blocks
To restrict access to illegal offshore gambling sites, internet service providers in Singapore are mandated to block the IP addresses of such platforms. However, bettors use virtual private networks (VPN) to bypass ISP restrictions and access betting sites anonymously. Before signing up, it is advisable to read reviews of sportsbooks and assess factors like security, odds, markets, bonuses, etc.
Restrictions on Payment Options
While Singapore banks prohibit using credit cards for online gambling under the Remote Gambling Act, popular e-wallet services like Skrill, Neteller, and ecoPayz facilitate deposits and withdrawals on global sportsbooks. Cryptocurrency payments are also gaining traction among bettors, aiming to add a layer of security through blockchain transactions.
Growth of Sports Betting
Sports betting has become a multi-billion dollar industry in Southeast Asia, with estimated annual revenues of $10 billion. Singapore’s sports betting handle is approximated at around $800 million. Online betting makes up over 80% of this figure, indicating robust offshore activity despite the legal ambiguity.
With greater internet penetration and liberalization in neighboring countries, remote sports wagering is poised to surge further in Singapore. Online betting platforms allow bettors to access global odds easily from their devices. Enthusiasm is particularly high around major sports events like the World Cup.
Regulatory Developments
While a complete repeal of the long-standing prohibition seems unlikely, there are indications of softening attitudes. The Singapore Turf Club has gained approval to operate online betting for horse racing. There is also lobbying for regulated sports betting under a licensing framework akin to liberal regimes like the UK, where operators must abide by responsible gambling obligations.
For now, the infringement of local laws remains a risk for bettors, though prosecutions are rare. However, liberalization may gain momentum to ensure better consumer protections in the thriving offshore market. As regulations evolve globally, Singapore may be nudged towards controlled legalization of sports betting.
Conclusion
Despite stringent laws, sports betting occupies a grey zone in Singapore, where offshore online platforms cater to substantial demand. For bettors, the contradictions in regulations indicate lower risk, though shortcomings in safety and oversight persist in the unregulated environment. From being an absolute ban originally, amendments indicate that policymakers recognize the futility of prohibition in the internet era. Pragmatic forms of legalization could better balance control and safe participation. But until significant reforms take effect, the legal status of sports betting in Singapore will remain ambiguous.