Singapore GRA consults on fundraiser licence changes

The Gambling Regulatory Authority is consulting on amendments to the Gambling Control (Fundraisers - Class Licence) Order 2022, with submissions due by 13 August 2026.

The notice, issued on 30 July under section 61(2) of the Gambling Control Act 2022, concerns organisations that conduct fundraiser lotteries under the class licence and organisations that receive their proceeds. The proposed amendments follow changes to the National Council of Social Service Act 1992 through the NCSS Amendment Act 2026.

The current Order identifies eligible persons and benefitting organisations by reference to the National Council of Social Service membership framework. The NCSS Amendment Act removes the Associate Membership category, leaving sector members under the amended framework.

The GRA proposes to update the definitions of ‘approved purpose’, ‘benefitting organisation’ and ‘eligible person’ to refer to sector members. The changes would align the class-licence framework with the amended NCSS membership structure.

The notice also proposes a new arrangement for organisations that provide an indirect social service, or provide services or mobilise resources for the benefit of the social service sector. Those organisations would be able to rely on the Order’s class licence to conduct fundraiser lotteries for two years.

The notice does not specify additional eligibility tests, operating conditions or administrative requirements for that two-year arrangement. It also does not state when the amended Order would take effect. Those points remain open until the GRA completes the consultation and issues the relevant instrument.

For organisations currently relying on the Order, the immediate task is to map their eligibility language and beneficiary descriptions against the proposed sector-member terminology. Legal and licensing teams should also assess whether their organisation falls within the proposed category covering indirect social services or sector-support activities.

The notice does not require immediate reapplication or immediate changes to an existing fundraiser lottery.

Representations must be submitted in softcopy, in Microsoft Word format, to feedback@gra.gov.sg. Each submission should include the organisation’s or individual’s name, corresponding address, contact number and email address, together with comments or suggestions and reasons where applicable.

The source does not quantify the number of affected organisations or fundraiser lotteries.

The consultation is open to interested persons. Submissions close on 13 August 2026, and any final amendments will take effect only after the GRA completes the consultation and issues the relevant instrument.