Singapore tightens casino responsible-gambling review rules

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore has amended casino responsible-gambling rules to require approval-linked reviews and controls on changes to approved programmes.

The Casino Control (Responsible Gambling) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, made under section 200 of the Casino Control Act 2006, were published in the Subsidiary Legislation Supplement on 18 September. They come into operation on 21 September.

The amendment replaces the definition of a responsible gambling programme in the 2013 regulations. The programme must cover the establishment, operation and implementation of responsible gambling measures carried out, or proposed to be carried out, by a casino operator or casino licence applicant during the casino’s operation.

For licence applicants, the programme must be submitted for the Authority’s approval at the same time as the casino licence application, unless the Authority allows a later submission. Its required content now expressly includes a system allowing patrons to set limits on casino gambling expenditure or the period of continuous casino gambling.

The application must also include details of employee training on promoting or adopting responsible measures. That includes the training curriculum and plans for periodic refresher training. A person or committee appointed, or to be appointed, to supervise the programme must provide a statement that the programme will satisfy the responsible gambling requirements when implemented.

Operators face recurring review and approval steps

The amendment separates the casino operator’s programme duties from the obligations of licensed special employees.

A casino operator must review the responsible gambling measures in its approved programme annually, unless the Responsible Gambling Code for Casinos specifies a shorter frequency. The first review must be completed no later than the anniversary of the Authority’s approval of the programme. Each later review must be completed within one year after the Authority approves the review report for the preceding review.

The operator must submit each review report to the Authority for approval within three months after completing the review. The Authority may extend either the review-completion period or the report-submission period in a particular case. The review report must meet the matters and requirements specified in the Responsible Gambling Code for Casinos.

The amendment does not set a general transition period. For each operator, the timing depends on the Authority’s approval date, the preceding approved review report and any shorter cycle specified in the Responsible Gambling Code for Casinos.

Licensed special employees must not cause an approved programme to be established, operated or implemented in a way that fails to comply with the responsible gambling requirements. They must also have the casino operator’s authorisation before making a change, and must not make, authorise or permit a change unless the Authority has first approved it.

A contravention can lead to disciplinary action under section 93 of the Casino Control Act. The rule places a direct conduct obligation on the employee, while leaving programme authorisation and regulatory approval as separate controls.

The regulations were made on 7 September by Hoong Wee Teck, chairperson of the Gambling Regulatory Authority. They take effect on 21 September, after which operators’ review timing will turn on the approval dates and review-report dates identified in the amended regulations. The instrument does not identify a further scheduled implementation event.