Gambling Laws in Singapore: Legality, Regulators and What Chinese Citizens Should Know

Is gambling legal in Singapore? Yes, but only within narrow limits. The basic rule of Singapore law is that all gambling is unlawful unless it is licensed or exempted, and that applies offline and online alike. There are only two legal channels: two licensed casinos inside the integrated resorts, and the licensed lottery and betting operator Singapore Pools.

If you are moving from China to work, study or settle in Singapore, remember three things: the minimum age for the casinos and most gambling is 21; Singapore citizens and permanent residents pay a casino entry levy, foreigners do not; and gambling on an unlicensed website is itself a crime in Singapore, for which individual players can be punished. This page covers law and regulation only and does not recommend any operator.

The legal framework: two core laws

• Casino Control Act 2006: regulates the casinos; the Bill was passed by Parliament on 14 February 2006.
• Gambling Control Act 2022 (Act 15 of 2022): regulates all gambling outside the casinos. It took effect on 1 August 2022 and replaced the former Betting Act, Common Gaming Houses Act, Private Lotteries Act and Remote Gambling Act.

Together the two laws create a “prohibited unless permitted” structure. Compared with China, where only the state welfare and sports lotteries are allowed, Singapore adds two legal casinos and one licensed betting operator, but every other form of gambling is just as tightly controlled.

The regulator: Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA)

All forms of gambling in Singapore are overseen by one body: the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore (GRA). It was reconstituted from the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) and became the single regulator on 1 August 2022. The Singapore Police Force enforces against illegal gambling, while the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) work with the GRA on harm prevention.

Licensing at a glance (as of October 2026):

• Casinos: there are only two licensed casinos, located in the integrated resorts at Resorts World Sentosa (opened 14 February 2010) and Marina Bay Sands (opened 27 April 2010). For the detailed rules see casino rules in Singapore.
• Lottery and betting: Singapore Pools is the licensee listed by the GRA; its licence was renewed under Section 54 of the Gambling Control Act for five years from 25 October 2025.
• Lower-risk activities: such as promotional lucky draws and mystery boxes, fall under a class licence: no individual application is needed, but conditions must be met.

Who may gamble: age, entry levy and exclusions

Under the Gambling Control Act the minimum age for most gambling is 21; the exception is Singapore Pools’ physical outlets, where it is 18. Under-age gambling is a criminal offence, and since 30 October 2024 a minor who uses false evidence of age to enter a casino can be fined up to S$10,000.

The entry levy applies only to citizens and permanent residents. Singapore citizens and PRs must pay a daily levy of S$150 (about RMB 777) or an annual levy of S$3,000 (about RMB 15,540) to enter a casino. These amounts have applied since April 2019 and were written into the amended Casino Control Act on 30 October 2024 (as of October 2026); levies are not refundable. Chinese citizens on a work pass or student pass are foreigners and do not pay; once you become a permanent resident, you pay like a local.

Singapore also has an extensive exclusion system. At the end of 2023 there were 356,659 active exclusion orders, including 184,054 casino self-exclusions:

• self-exclusion and voluntary visit limits; family members can apply for a family exclusion order;
• third-party exclusion and visit limits (decided by the NCPG);
• automatic exclusion: undischarged bankrupts, recipients of government social or legal aid, and HDB rental tenants six months or more in arrears may not enter the casinos or fruit machine rooms and cannot open a licensed online betting account.

Online gambling: illegal unless licensed

This is where newcomers most often get into trouble. According to the GRA, providing unlicensed online gambling services to people in Singapore is unlawful, and taking part in unlawful online gambling is also an offence: an individual can be fined up to S$10,000 (about RMB 51,800), jailed for up to six months, or both (as of October 2026).

The GRA works with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to block illegal gambling websites and payments. A game of mahjong among family at home can be exempt under strict conditions, but the same game moved online is no longer exempt. More detail is on online casino law in Singapore and on the GRA’s official page Blocking of Online Access and Payments to Unlawful Gambling Services.

Gambling tax: players’ winnings are not taxed

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) states that winnings from lotteries, horse racing, fruit machines and casinos are windfalls, not subject to income tax, and need not be declared. The tax burden falls on operators: casinos pay casino tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR) (as of October 2026).

A premium player is someone with a casino deposit account of at least S$100,000; Tier 1 applies to the first S$2.4 billion (premium) or S$3.1 billion (other) of GGR each calendar year.

Advertising rules

All advertising and promotion by licensed operators is prohibited unless approved by the GRA. Advertising unlawful gambling is an offence punishable by a fine (as of October 2026). The public can report such ads to the police through I-Witness.

Chinese law: still relevant after you move

Article 303 of the PRC Criminal Law covers the crimes of gambling and of operating a gambling venue. Criminal Law Amendment (XI), in force since 1 March 2021, added a third paragraph creating the offence of organising participation in gambling abroad: “Whoever organises citizens of the People’s Republic of China to participate in gambling outside the country (border), where the amount is huge or there are other serious circumstances, shall be punished under the preceding paragraph.”

These provisions target gathering people to gamble, operating gambling venues, and organising or recruiting PRC citizens to gamble abroad. A 2023 research report by the Supreme People’s Court notes that the black and grey industries around cross-border gambling are expanding, so be wary of well-paid offers to “bring in clients” or act as an “agent”. This page is general information, not legal advice; see our disclaimer, and for other preparations before departure see Leaving China.

Responsible gambling and where to get help

The GRA requires licensed operators to offer a pre-commitment programme so players can set spending and time limits. If you need help, contact the NCPG:

• NCPG Helpline: 1800-6-668-668, daily 8am to 11pm; webchat is available during the same hours.
• Apply online for the various exclusions at the official NCPG website.

The 2020 survey found that 44% of residents aged 18 and above had taken part in at least one form of gambling. For more on the country see our Singapore guide, and compare with neighbours: gambling laws in Malaysia and gambling laws in Japan.

FAQ

Do Chinese tourists or work-pass holders pay the casino entry levy?

No. The levy applies only to citizens and permanent residents, but you must be at least 21.

What happens if I use an overseas gambling website on my phone in Singapore?

It is illegal. Players can be fined up to S$10,000, jailed for up to six months, or both.

Do I pay tax on lottery winnings in Singapore?

No. IRAS treats winnings as windfalls, not income.

Is a small-stakes mahjong game with friends at home illegal?

At your own home, with family or people you know personally, and with nobody taking a cut, it is exempt social gambling. At an HDB void deck, a coffeeshop or a hotel, or online, it is not exempt.

Sources

1. GRA – Blocking of Online Access and Payments to Unlawful Gambling Services (accessed October 2026)
2. GRA – The GRA Story (accessed October 2026)
3. GRA – Lottery & Betting Licence (accessed October 2026)
4. GRA – Responsible Gambling / Harm Minimisation (accessed October 2026)
5. GRA – Gambling Control Bill 2022, Second Reading Speech (accessed October 2026)
6. MHA – GRA to be Operational from 1 August 2022 (accessed October 2026)
7. MHA – Commencement of the Casino Control (Amendment) Act on 30 October 2024 (accessed October 2026)
8. Singapore Statutes Online – Casino Control (Variation of Entry Levies) Order 2024 (accessed October 2026)
9. MHA – Annex A Media Factsheet on Safeguards (2019) (accessed October 2026)
10. MSF – Updates on Problem Gambling (accessed October 2026)
11. MSF – Gambling and Problem Gambling Related Statistics (accessed October 2026)
12. National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) (accessed October 2026)
13. IRAS – Winnings (Toto, 4D…) (accessed October 2026)
14. IRAS – Computing Casino Tax (Gross Gaming Revenue, Casino Tax Rates) (accessed October 2026)
15. China News Service (reprinting Legal Daily) – Criminal Law Amendment (XI) in force from 1 March, 23 February 2021 (accessed October 2026)
16. Supreme People’s Court – Research report on cross-border gambling governance (2023) (accessed October 2026)
17. OFX – SGD to CNY market rate (accessed October 2026)