Singapores fresh gambling oversight body commences operations – Legal & Conformity – iGB
The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) commenced operations on March 11th after the GRA Act was enacted.
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Singapores fresh gambling oversight body commences operations
The new legislation broadens the reach of the prior entity, the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA), from casinos to all gambling sectors in the city-state. Consequently, the organization was rebranded to reflect this alteration.
The regulator stated that the rationale for unifying gambling oversight was to enhance its nimbleness and regulatory consistency.
“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 empowers the government to be more effective in staying ahead of technology and gambling trends, to more comprehensively address emerging gambling products, and to adopt a more holistic and cohesive approach to gambling policy.”
Prior to this modification, gambling in Singapore was overseen by a multitude of distinct bodies, each with its own structure and personnel. In March, responding to a parliamentary inquiry, Minister of State Desmond Tan summarized the situation:
“Gambling oversight is presently supervised by various government agencies. For instance, the CRA regulates casinos;
The gambling watchdog in Singapore currently manages online gambling services and slot machines. The Singapore Totalisator Board oversees land-based gambling services provided by Singaporean gambling companies, according to a spokesperson.
The spokesperson continued, emphasizing the advantages of combining gambling legislation and regulation.
“Combining gambling legislation and regulation will create efficiencies. As a unified regulator for all forms of gambling, the Gambling Regulatory Authority will be able to concentrate resources and expertise to address the issue.
“The creation of the Gambling Regulatory Authority will not place a financial strain on the government. Personnel will be transferred as responsibilities are shifted.
“This will not result in an excess of staff. In addition to overseeing existing regulatory frameworks, the Gambling Regulatory Authority will also oversee new regulatory frameworks, such as the new licensing framework for private sector gambling and the category licensing framework for low-risk gambling products.”
The creation of the Gambling Regulatory Authority is a key component of a comprehensive gambling reform package enacted in March. Along with the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, which updates the regulator’s mandate, the Singaporean legislature also passed the Gambling Control Act, which modernizes the gambling law.
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