Gambling Social Safeguards

We work closely with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and other partners to minimise the social impact of problem gambling in Singapore.

Key Strategies

We take a multi-pronged approach towards tackling problem gambling:

1. Preventive measures through public education


2. Mitigation measures through social safeguards and


3. Remedial measures through help services for problem gamblers and their families.

1. Public Education

It is important to understand the risks of gambling. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)'s public education campaigns and outreach programmes raise awareness of problem gambling, and encourage gamblers and family members affected by problem gambling to seek help.

View the latest video resource from NCPG

2. Social Safeguards

MSF works closely with the Gambling Regulatory Authority and NCPG to minimise the harm of problem gambling. The casino social safeguards include:

Casino

The social safeguards for casino gambling include:

• Casino entry levies


• Persons below 21 years old are not allowed into the casinos


• Credit restrictions for local patrons


• Exclusions and limited access to casinos:
  
  
  • Self-Exclusion and Voluntary Visit Limit
  
  
  • Family Exclusion and Visit Limit
  
  
  • Third-Party Exclusion and Visit Limit
  
  
  • Exclusion by Law
  
  

• Regulations on casino advertising and promotion
  
  
  • The Casino Control (Advertising) Regulations (CCAR) restricts casinos from targeting the domestic market, including Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. All advertising and promotion materials have to be approved by GRA.
  
  
• Regulations on responsible gambling
  
  
  • The Casino Control (Responsible Gambling) Regulations ensures casinos have an Responsible Gambling Code. Casinos are to implement all the requirements spelt out in the Code, such as having a responsible gambling programme, and providing patron education and assistance.

Lottery, sports and horse racing betting services

Singapore Pools Pte Ltd is the only Licensed Operator to offer lottery, sports, horse racing betting services in Singapore. These social safeguards include:

Private Clubs with Jackpot Machine Rooms

Private clubs with jackpot machine rooms have these safeguards:

• Persons below 21 years old are not allowed into the jackpot machine room


• Only members of a club with membership terms of at least one year can enter the jackpot machine room. No guest is allowed.


• Self-exclusion from all jackpot machine rooms


• Persons under a Family Exclusion Order, a Third Party Exclusion Order or Exclusion by Law are not allowed to enter any jackpot rooms


• Operating hours are limited to between 10am to 11pm


• No ATMs, Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale systems and credit card facilities in jackpot machine rooms
  


• No advertising and promotion of jackpot machines is allowed


• Clubs are to implement a responsible gambling programme, provide patron education and assistance.

3. Help problem gamblers and their families

MSF works with NCPG and our appointed agency (The Resilienz Clinic) to develop and provide help services to problem gamblers and their families.

We work with NCPG and the National Addictions Management Service (NAMS) to run the National Problem Gambling Helpline and Webchat, which are operated by trained counsellors daily from 8am to 11pm. Both the Helpline and Webchat provide information on problem gambling, NCPG exclusions and visit limits, as well as counselling for problem gamblers and their families.

Details on support services and assistance for issues related to problem gambling