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Gambling Social Safeguards

Topic(s): Problem Gambling Assistance

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

Education is the first line of defence, especially for our young, to understand the dangers of gambling.The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)'s public education campaigns and outreach programmes raise awareness of problem gambling,and encourage both gamblers and family members affected by problem gambling to seek help.

View the latest video resource from NCPG on YouTube


2. Social Safeguards

Casino Social Safeguards

We work closely with the Gambling Regulatory Authority and NCPG to minimise the potential harm of casino gambling. The casino social safeguards include:


  • Casino entry levies

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

  • Credit restrictions for local casino patrons

  • Casino exclusions and visit limits

    • 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) was introduced in 2010. Casinos are not allowed to target the domestic market, which includes Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.

  • Regulations on responsible gambling

    • The Casino Control (Responsible Gambling) Regulations was introduced in May 2013. Casinos are to implement a responsible gambling programme.

Remote Gambling Social Safeguards

Together with the Gambling Regulatory Authority, we implement social safeguards to minimise the harm of remote gambling offered by Licensed Operators. These safeguards include:


  • Persons below 21 years old are not allowed to open an account with a Licensed Operator

  • Self-exclusion from remote gambling

  • Persons under a Family Exclusion Order, a Third Party Exclusion Order or Exclusion by Law are not allowed to open or maintain an account with an Exempt Operator

  • Account holders must set monthly funding and expenditure limits

  • All Licensed Operators must implement a Responsible Remote Gambling Programme

  • All advertising and promotion materials by a Licensed Operator have to be approved by MSF


Social Safeguards for Private Clubs with Jackpot Machine Rooms

We also work with the Gambling Regulatory Authority on social safeguards for clubs with jackpot machine rooms. These safeguards include:


  • 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 jackpot machine rooms

  • Persons under a Family Exclusion Order, a Third Party Exclusion Order or Exclusion by Law are not allowed to enter the jackpot machine room

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

  • No advertising and promotions of jackpot machines outside of jackpot machine rooms and on the Internet or other media platforms


Responsible Gambling for Gambling Operators

A Responsible Gambling Forum comprising industry and community representatives was established in June 2013 to promote shared commitment and understanding towards responsible gambling. A Responsible Gambling Code has also been introduced for voluntary adoption by non-casino gambling operators.


3. Help problem gamblers and their families

We work 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, casino 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