Singapores New Oversight Body Takes Charge – Legal and Conformity – iGB
The Gaming Regulatory Authority (GRA) in Singapore commenced operations on March 11th following the passage of the GRA Act.
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Singapores New Oversight Body Takes Charge
The act expands the purview of the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) from casinos to the entire gambling industry in the city-state. Consequently, the organization has been rebranded to reflect this shift.
The regulatory body stated that the justification for consolidating gambling oversight was to enhance its adaptability and regulatory uniformity.
“The GRA Act establishes the GRA as the sole regulator for all forms of gambling in Singapore,” the government declared in a press release announcing the organization.
“This enables the government to more effectively anticipate technological and gambling trends, more comprehensively address emerging gambling products, and adopt a more holistic and consistent approach to gambling policy.”
Prior to this alteration, gambling in Singapore was overseen by diverse entities, each with its own framework and personnel. In March, responding to a parliamentary inquiry, Minister of State Chee Hong Tat summarized the situation:
“Gambling regulation is currently managed by various government agencies. For instance, the CRA regulates casinos;
Singapores gaming oversight body presently manages internet gaming services and slot machines, while the Singapore Pools handles physical gambling operations. Chan remarked, “Combining gambling laws and oversight will generate advantages. As a unified regulator for all types of gambling, the Gambling Regulatory Authority will be able to concentrate resources and knowledge to address the issue.”
Chan continued, emphasizing the positive effects of merging gambling legislation and regulation.
“The creation of the Gambling Regulatory Authority will have no impact on government resources. Personnel will be transferred along with the transfer of duties.
“This will not result in an excess of employees. In addition to overseeing the existing regulatory framework, the Gambling Regulatory Authority will also oversee new regulatory frameworks, such as the new licensing framework for private venue gambling and the category licensing framework for low-risk gambling products.”
The establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority is a key component of a broader gambling reform package enacted in March. In addition to the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, which expands the regulator’s authority, the Singapore legislature also passed the Gambling Control Act, which updates gambling laws.
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