MHA seeking views on proposed framework to restrict remote gambling

MHA seeking views on proposed framework to restrict remote gambling

SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched a public consultation exercise today to seek views and feedback on the proposed framework to restrict remote gambling in Singapore.

"Singapore has strict laws on gambling to maintain law and order and to minimise the potential harm, especially to the young and vulnerable. We intend to extend this same approach to remote gambling by making it illegal unless there are exemptions," the Ministry said in a statement today.

"MHA, together with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and other government agencies, has been studying the issue of remote gambling. We have studied the remote gambling landscape and regulatory approaches taken by other jurisdictions."

Hence, MHA said that it intends to restrict remote gambling and will introduce laws to act against facilitators, intermediaries and providers of remote gambling services.

"We will introduce measures to block access to gambling websites, block payments to remote gambling operators and prohibit advertisements promoting remote gambling. We will also strengthen public education with regard to remote gambling and gambling simulation games. The above measures will send a clear signal of our regulatory stance," it said.

Public consultation

Members of the public and organisations are invited to submit their views. The public can access the public consultation on the REACH website (https://www.reach.gov.sg).

Feedback can also be submitted to MHA_remotegambling_consultation@mha.gov.sg.

The consultation period will commence today and end on January 10, 2014.

A summary of the feedback received will be published after the end of the consultations with the public and relevant stakeholders, MHA said.

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