Punters in Singapore will be allowed to place their bets online legally as early as the second half of next month. This move is to counter illicit gambling on unauthorised websites. As per the reports Singapore based lottery operations Singapore Pools and the Singapore Turf Club (STC) are preparing to launch their online betting services in anticipation of getting a green signal from the authorities.
Responding to the enquiries made to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would say only that it is evaluating applications from Singapore Pools and STC. However both lottery operators are running final tests on their online betting platforms and have prepared advisories for staff and customers. They are hoping to be exempted from the Remote Gambling Act by the end of this month. Once the applications are approved by the authorities online betting service will be launched and then punters can bet online. Details are being finalised and it appears that all lotteries and games, except for Big Sweep, will be available online. It is also stated that the betting options will be limited.
With betting going online operators will be able to take live bets online. At the current moment punters can already place bets through their phones during an ongoing game or match. Singapore Pools offers betting on football and motor-racing as well as lottery games like 4-D and Toto.
With this move to allow the two operators to venture into online betting comes two years after Parliament passed the Remote Gambling Act, which has outlawed online and Phone gambling. Hundreds of websites that offer remote gambling have already been blocked. But the possibility of allowing some operators in this space had been kept open. As per Second Home Affairs Minister S. Iswaran said that an outright ban could drive illegal remote gambling activity underground.
Both STC and Singapore Pools fall under the category of not for profit organisations operated by the Singapore Totalisator Board (Tote Board), a statutory board under the Ministry of Finance. If their applications are approved they will be the first to receive an exemption.
Allowing punters to place their bets online would make betting convenient and it would also lead to a whole lot of problems as warned by the social workers.
Ms Deborah Queck, 48, who counsels gambling addicts at Eternal Grace Community Services said:
“The danger is not just addiction. Especially among the younger generation who lack self discipline, there’s also the danger of debt issues.”
