Casino Control (Amendment) Bill

This Act is the Casino Control (Amendment) Act 2024 and comes into operation on a date that the Minister appoints by notification in the Gazette.

In the Casino Control Act 2006 (called in this Act the principal Act), in the long title —

replace “gaming in casinos” with “gambling in casinos and the regulation of persons connected therewith”; and

replace “to establish the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore, to provide for its functions and powers” with “to provide for the functions of the National Council on Problem Gambling and measures against problem gambling”.

In the principal Act, in section 2(1) —

in the definition of “casino”, replace “one or more games approved by the Authority under section 100” with “casino gambling approved by the Authority”;

after the definition of “casino”, insert —“ “casino chip” means any token used instead of money for the purpose of casino gambling, and includes —

any voucher or other instrument that has a fixed dollar wagering value; and

anything prescribed as a casino chip;”;

after the definition of “casino employee”, insert —“ “casino gambling” means any of the following that is carried out within the casino premises:

playing a casino game;

betting (within the meaning of section 5 of the Gambling Control Act 2022) conducted by a casino operator;

participating in a lottery (within the meaning of section 9 of the Gambling Control Act 2022) conducted by a casino operator,but does not include any promotional game or any prescribed form of gambling;“casino game” means a game provided by the casino operator —

that involves a wager in money or casino chips (with or without match play coupons);

that is played at a table or using a gaming machine or gaming program; and

as a result of which winnings may become payable by the casino operator;”;

in the definition of “casino marketing arrangement”, replace “the playing of any game in a casino” with “casino gambling”;

after the definition of “casino premises”, insert —“ “casino-excluded person” means a person banned from entering or remaining on, or taking part in any casino gambling or promotional game on, any casino premises pursuant to —

an exclusion order under section 121 or 122;

a family exclusion order, provisional family exclusion order or third party exclusion order under Part 10;

section 165A;

self-exclusion under section 165AA; or

section 165D for the remainder of any month by reason of the person having made the maximum number of visits to any casino for the month allowed by a visit limit imposed on him or her;”;

delete the definitions of “chips” and “excluded person”;

replace the definition of “deposit account” with —“ “deposit account” means an account established by a casino operator for a patron, into which is to be credited deposits of money or any other permitted deposits as may be prescribed;”;

replace the definition of “electronic table game” with —“ “electronic table game” means a gaming machine or gaming program used for the purpose of playing a casino game traditionally played at tables, and includes any electronic device through which bets may be placed on a casino game played at a table and any other thing prescribed as an electronic table game;”;

in the definition of “gaming equipment”, replace “in connection with gaming” with “in connection with casino gambling”;

in the definition of “gaming equipment”, after paragraph (a), insert —“(aa)an electronic device on which a gaming program may be used to play a casino game or participate in any other form of casino gambling;

a gaming program;”;

in the definition of “gaming machine”, in paragraph (a), replace “playing a game of chance or a game of mixed chance and skill” with “playing a casino game or for any other form of casino gambling”;

in the definition of “gaming machine”, replace “and includes any machine declared by the Authority to be a gaming machine;” with —“and —

includes anything prescribed as a gaming machine; but(d)excludes anything prescribed as not being a gaming machine;”;

after the definition of “gaming machine”, insert —“ “gaming program” means a software application or other computer program that is designed to be used with an electronic device (other than a gaming machine) to play a casino game or participate in any other form of casino gambling;”;

replace the definitions of “jackpot” and “linked jackpot arrangement” with —“ “jackpot” means a winning event that is —

a combination of letters, numbers, symbols or representations required to be displayed —

on the reels or video screen of a gaming machine; or

on an electronic device on which a gaming program is used to play a casino game or participate in any other form of casino gambling;

determined by a linked jackpot arrangement; or

determined by a lottery in which the entitlement to participate depends on the playing of a casino game or participating in any other form of casino gambling,as a result of which the winnings are payable from money which accumulates as contributions are made to a special prize pool;“linked jackpot arrangement” means an arrangement whereby 2 or more gaming machines or gaming programs, or a combination of both, are linked to a device or connected to an electronic program or system that —

records, from time to time, an amount which, in the event of a jackpot or other result being obtained on one of those gaming machines or gaming programs, may be payable, or part of which may be payable, as winnings; and

for the purpose of recording the amount mentioned in paragraph (a), receives data from each gaming machine or gaming program that is so linked or connected;”;

in the definition of “linked jackpot equipment”, after “gaming machine”, insert “or an electronic device on which a gaming program is used”;

in the definition of “operations”, in paragraphs (a) and (b), replace “gaming” with “casino gambling or promotional games”;

in the definition of “premium player”, in paragraph (b), delete “and” at the end;

in the definition of “premium player”, in paragraph (c), insert “and” at the end;

in the definition of “premium player”, after paragraph (c), insert —“(d)the patron is not disqualified as a premium player by regulations made under section 200;”;

after the definition of “premium player”, insert —“ “promotional activity” includes a promotional game;“promotional game” means a game or lottery played within the casino premises —

that is conducted or played as part of an event to promote the visiting of the casino or the playing of any casino game or participation in any other form of casino gambling; and

that does not involve a wager in money or casino chips;”; and

in the definition of “special employee”, in paragraph (b)(i), replace “gaming” with “casino gambling”.

In the principal Act, in section 42(1)(a) and (b), replace “Authority” with “Minister”.

In the principal Act, in section 45 —

in subsection (2)(i), after “prevailing”, insert “and future”; and

after subsection (3), insert —“(4) In considering whether the applicant is a suitable person to be concerned in the management and operation of a casino, the Authority may, in addition to the matters mentioned in subsections (2) and (3), consider the following matters:

whether the applicant conducts its business (including business conducted outside Singapore or business unrelated to casino operations) in a manner which is unethical or which will bring discredit to casino gambling in Singapore;

whether there has been a systemic deficiency or failure in the applicant’s internal controls or corporate governance.”.

In the principal Act, in section 45A(1), after paragraph (c), insert —“(ca)the ability of the integrated resort and its attractions and facilities to remain competitive, having regard to future developments in the industry and market;”.

In the principal Act, in section 46, delete subsections (2) and (4).

In the principal Act, in section 49A, after subsection (1), insert —“(1A) The casino licence fee prescribed may include any costs of the Council (including any secretary or officer appointed under section 155(2)) in connection with the performance of the Council’s functions under Part 10 as they relate to casinos and casino gambling.”.

In the principal Act, in section 49B, after subsection (3), insert —“(4) In the application of section 48 to a casino operator in respect of the renewal of its casino licence —

a reference in section 48(2) to a person whose association with the applicant is in the opinion of the Authority relevant to the application, is to be read as a reference to a person whose association with the casino operator is in the opinion of the Authority relevant to the application for renewal; and

a casino operator who fails to comply with section 48(1) as it applies under this section shall not be guilty of an offence under section 48(3) but shall instead be liable to disciplinary action.”.

In the principal Act, in section 54 —

in subsection (1), in the definition of “grounds for disciplinary action”, in paragraph (d), replace “section 45(2)” with “section 45”;

in subsection (1), in the definition of “serious breach”, in paragraph (a), replace “gaming in the casino” with “casino gambling”;

after subsection (6), insert —“(6A) A written notice of suspension of a casino licence may include a direction to the casino operator to rectify within a specified time any matter giving rise to the suspension.”;

in subsection (7), after “subsection (6)”, insert “or (6A)”;

in subsection (8), replace “If” with “Except to the extent required by a direction given to the casino operator under subsection (6A), if”; and

after subsection (10), insert —“(11) Any proceedings started under this section against a casino operator may continue, and the Authority may take disciplinary action mentioned in paragraph (b) or (d) of the definition of “disciplinary action” in subsection (1) against the former casino operator under subsection (4), despite the cancellation, surrender or expiry of the casino operator’s licence.”.

In the principal Act, in section 59(a), after “casino licence”, insert “, having regard to the matters in section 45”.

In the principal Act, delete section 61.

In the principal Act, in section 62(1), after “it takes place”, insert “or such longer period as the Authority may allow in any particular case”.

In the principal Act, in section 63 —

delete subsection (2); and

in subsection (9), delete “(2) or”.

In the principal Act, in section 64 —

in subsection (2), delete the definition of “related corporation”;

in subsection (2), in the definition of “relevant date”, replace “corporation” wherever it appears with “casino operator”; and

in subsection (3), replace paragraphs (c) to (i) with —“(c)A is a person who is accustomed or under an obligation, whether formal or informal, to act in accordance with the directions, instructions or wishes of B;

A is a subsidiary of B;

A is a corporation in which B, alone or together with other associates of B as described in paragraph (b), (c) or (d), is in a position to control not less than 20% of the votes in A; or

A is a person with whom B has an agreement or arrangement, whether oral or in writing and whether express or implied, to act together with respect to the acquisition, holding or disposal of shares or other interests in, or with respect to the exercise of their votes in relation to, the casino operator.”.

In the principal Act, in section 67 —

in subsection (2)(a), delete “or” at the end;

in subsection (2)(b), replace the full‑stop at the end with “; or”;

in subsection (2), after paragraph (b), insert —“(c)requiring the person to carry out the acquisition of shares, interests in shares or voting power within a specified time.”;

after subsection (2), insert —“(2A) The Authority may at any time add to, vary or revoke any condition imposed under subsection (2).”; and

after subsection (4), insert —“(5) Where the Authority proposes to add to, vary or revoke under subsection (2A) any condition imposed under subsection (2) (including any condition imposed before the date of commencement of section 16 of the Casino Control (Amendment) Act 2024 under subsection (2) as in force before that date), the Authority must —

give written notice of the proposed addition, variation or revocation to the person subject to the conditions (called the affected person);

allow the affected person a specified period to make submissions to the Authority concerning the proposed addition, variation or revocation;

consider the submissions made, if any; and

notify the affected person of its decision.”.

In the principal Act, in the following sections, in the section heading, replace “corporation with casino licence” with “casino operator”: Section 65 Section 66.

In the principal Act, in the following provisions, replace “corporation” wherever it appears with “casino operator”: Section 65(1) and (2)(a) Section 66(1), (2), (3) (definitions of “12% controller”, “20% controller” and “indirect controller”) and (4) Section 67(1)(b), (2)(a) and (b) and (3).

In the principal Act, in the following provisions, replace “Minister” wherever it appears with “Authority”: Section 65(1) and (2)(a) and (b) Section 66(1), (2) and (3) (definition of “indirect controller”) Section 67(1), (2) and (4) Section 68 Section 69(1) to (4) Section 70(1) and (3)(a), (b) and (c) Section 71(3)(b) and (4)(c).

In the principal Act, in section 69(1)(f), replace “Minister’s” with “Authority’s”.

In the principal Act, in section 69(2), replace “he or she” with “the Authority”.

In the principal Act, in section 69(2), replace “his or her” with “its”.

In the principal Act, in section 72(1), replace the definitions of “controlled contract” and “notifiable contract” with —“ “notifiable contract”, in relation to a casino operator, means —

a contract that relates wholly or partly to the supply of goods or services for the operations of the casino or to any other matter that is prescribed for the purposes of this definition;

a contract above a prescribed value; or

a contract in a class of contracts prescribed as a notifiable contract for the purposes of this Division,but does not include —

a contract that relates solely to the construction of the casino premises;

a contract approved under subsection (2); or

any other class of contracts prescribed as not being a notifiable contract for the purposes of this Division;”.

In the principal Act, delete section 73.

In the principal Act, in section 74(1), replace paragraphs (a) and (b) with —“(a)in respect of a prescribed class or prescribed classes of notifiable contracts — give written notice to the Authority within the prescribed period of the entering into or variation of the contract and particulars of the contract or variation, together with any supporting documents, in the form and manner specified by the Authority by prior written notice; or

in respect of any other notifiable contract — keep records of the contract or variation in the form and manner specified by the Authority by prior written notice, and submit those records together with any supporting documents to the Authority whenever requested to do so by written notice of the Authority.”.

In the principal Act, in section 75, delete “a controlled contract or”.

In the principal Act, in section 76 —

in the section heading, delete “controlled contract or”;

in subsection (1), delete “a controlled contract or”; and

in subsection (2), delete “controlled contract or”.

In the principal Act, in section 80 —

in subsection (4), after “Any person”, insert “(not being a licensee)”; and

after subsection (4), insert —“(4A) A licensee who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall be liable to disciplinary action under section 93.”.

In the principal Act, in section 81 —

in subsection (1)(a), insert “and” at the end;

in subsection (1)(b), replace “; and” at the end with a full‑stop;

in subsection (1), delete paragraph (c); and

delete subsection (2).

In the principal Act, delete sections 83, 84, 86, 87, 89 to 92, 95, 97, 97A and 98.

In the principal Act, in section 93, after subsection (6), insert —“(7) Any proceedings started under this section against a licensed special employee may continue, and the Authority may take disciplinary action mentioned in paragraph (a) or (f) of the definition of “disciplinary action” in subsection (1) against the special employee under subsection (5), despite the special employee’s licence ceasing to be valid (whether as a result of cancellation, surrender, expiry or otherwise).”.

In the principal Act, in section 99 —

in subsection (1)(a), replace “as the Authority may prescribe” with “as may be prescribed under subsection (1A) or section 200”; and

after subsection (1), insert —“(1A) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, prescribe the maximum gaming area for any casino, and may do so by reference to the terms of the Development Agreement concerning that casino.”.

In the principal Act, in section 100 —

in the section heading, replace “games and rules for games” with “casino gambling and rules, etc.”;

replace subsection (1) with —“(1) The Authority may —

by a written notice to a casino operator, approve —

the casino games that may be played in the casino of the casino operator, the mode of play and the rules for those games; and

any other form of casino gambling that may be provided or conducted by the casino operator, the mode of play and the rules for the casino gambling; and

publish the list of casino games and other forms of casino gambling, the mode of play and rules, approved for the time being for each casino on the official website of the Authority.”;

replace subsections (3) and (4) with —“(3) A casino operator must not permit any gambling to be conducted in a casino except —

casino gambling that —

has been approved by the Authority under subsection (1)(a);

is conducted in accordance with the mode of play and rules approved by the Authority; and

is conducted on behalf of the casino operator by a licensed special employee;

casino gambling on a gaming machine, or using a gaming program, approved by the Authority under section 102; or

any promotional game.

A person must not conduct any gambling, or permit any person to conduct any gambling, in a casino except —

casino gambling that —

has been approved by the Authority under subsection (1)(a); and

is conducted in accordance with the mode of play and rules approved by the Authority;

casino gambling on a gaming machine, or using a gaming program, approved by the Authority under section 102; or

any promotional game.”; and

in subsection (8), replace “This section does not apply to any game played on a gaming machine” with “Approval under subsection (1)(a) is not required for any casino gambling conducted on a gaming machine or using a gaming program approved by the Authority under section 102”.

In the principal Act, in section 103 —

in the section heading, after “Gaming machines”, insert “and gaming programs”;

in subsection (1), after “any gaming machine”, insert “or gaming program”;

in subsection (1), replace paragraph (a) with —“(a)the gaming machine or gaming program has been obtained from an approved manufacturer (either directly or through an authorised supplier) approved by the Authority under section 103A;”;

in subsection (1)(b), after “the gaming machine”, insert “or gaming program”;

in subsection (1)(b) and (c), after “gaming machines”, insert “or gaming programs”;

in subsection (1), replace paragraph (d) with —“(d)the total number of gaming machines and gaming programs available for casino gambling does not exceed the number prescribed under subsection (1A).”; and

after subsection (1), insert —“(1A) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, prescribe the maximum number of gaming machines and gaming programs for any casino, and may do so by reference to the terms of the Development Agreement concerning that casino.”.

In the principal Act, in section 103A —

in the section heading, replace “and approved suppliers of gaming machines” with “of gaming machines and gaming programs”;

in subsection (1)(a), replace “or supply any gaming machine” with “any gaming machine or gaming program”;

in subsections (1) and (3), delete “, approved supplier”;

in subsection (2), replace paragraph (b) with —“(b)an approved manufacturer of gaming programs; or”; and

replace subsection (4) with —“(4) For the purposes of this section and section 103 —

a person is a manufacturer of a gaming machine or gaming program if the person has overall control of the design and production of the gaming machine or gaming program (as the case may be), even if the design, manufacture and assembly of the gaming machine or the design and production of the gaming program, or any part of it, is carried out by one or more other persons;

a person is not a manufacturer of a gaming machine or gaming program if the person does not have overall control of the design and production of the gaming machine or gaming program (as the case may be), even if the person carries out the design, manufacture, assembly, production or supply of it, or any part of it; and

a person is an authorised supplier of an approved manufacturer if the person is a supplier that the approved manufacturer has notified the Authority will be used to supply gaming machines or gaming programs of the approved manufacturer.”.

In the principal Act, delete section 104.

In the principal Act, in section 105 —

in the section heading, after “Linked jackpot arrangement”, insert “involving casino”; and

in subsection (1), after “linked jackpot arrangement”, insert “involving one or more gaming machines or gaming programs in a casino”.

In the principal Act, delete sections 106 and 107.

In the principal Act, in section 108 —

replace subsection (1) with —“(1) Except to the extent permitted by this section and regulations made under section 200, the following transactions in connection with any casino gambling are prohibited:

accepting a wager made otherwise than by means of money or casino chips (with or without match play coupons);

lending money or any valuable thing;

providing money, casino chips or match play coupons on credit, including as part of a transaction involving a credit card;

extending any other form of credit as may be prescribed.”;

delete subsections (2) to (6);

in subsections (7) and (8), replace “provide chips on credit” with “provide credit for the purposes of casino gambling”;

in subsection (10)(a), delete “, (6)”;

in subsection (14)(a), replace “chips on credit to persons other than as permitted in subsection (7) or (8)” with “credit for the purposes of casino gambling, other than as permitted in subsection (7) or (8) read with subsection (9),”; and

delete subsection (15).

In the principal Act, in section 110B(6)(j) —

in sub‑paragraph (i), after “international market agent”, insert “or former licensed international market agent”; and

in sub‑paragraph (ii), after “market agent representative”, insert “or former licensed international market agent representative”.

In the principal Act, in section 111 —

in the section heading, replace “game” with “casino gambling”;

in subsection (1), replace “a game” with “any casino gambling”;

in subsection (1), delete paragraph (a); and

in subsection (5), delete “notify an inspector or”.

In the principal Act, in section 112, after subsection (8), insert —“(9) The decision of the committee communicated under subsection (8) is final.”.

In the principal Act, in section 113, replace subsection (1) with —“(1) The person ordered to make payment to the other party must do so within 30 days of —

the inspector’s decision under section 111(4); or

the decision of the committee under section 112 if reconsideration of the inspector’s decision was sought,unless the Authority allows a longer period in any particular case.”.

In the principal Act, delete section 114.

In the principal Act, in section 116 —

in subsection (1)(a), replace “$100” with “$150”;

in subsection (1)(b), replace “$2,000” with “$3,000”;

in subsection (3), after “subsection (1)”, insert “, unless directed to do so under section 117(4)”;

replace subsection (4) with —“(4) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, vary the entry levies specified in subsection (1), and any reference in this Act or any other written law to an entry levy specified in subsection (1)(a) or (b) is a reference to the entry levy so varied.”; and

in subsection (6), replace “game” with “casino gambling or promotional game”.

In the principal Act, in section 117 —

in subsection (1), replace “by such method” with “at such time, in such manner and subject to such conditions”; and

after subsection (8), insert —“(9) In this section, “Chief Executive” includes an authorised person appointed for the purposes of this section.”.

In the principal Act, replace section 125 with —“Casino-excluded person not to enter casino premises125.—

A casino-excluded person who knows, or ought reasonably to know, that he or she is a casino‑excluded person, must not —

enter or remain on; or

take part in any casino gambling or promotional game on,any casino premises.

Subject to subsection (3), a casino‑excluded person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.

Subsection (2) does not apply to a person who is a casino‑excluded person as a result only of —

self-exclusion under section 165AA; or

a voluntary visit limit against himself or herself under section 165B(1).”.

In the principal Act, in section 128 —

in subsection (1), replace paragraph (b) with —“(b)subject to a family exclusion order, provisional family exclusion order or third party exclusion order under Part 10;

excluded under section 165A;

subject to self‑exclusion under section 165AA; or”; (b)in subsection (2), replace “gaming on gaming machines or playing any game approved under section 100 in the casino” with “casino gambling”; and

in subsection (6)(a) and (b), replace “chips” with “casino chips”.

In the principal Act —

in the following provisions, replace “prohibit the person from entering or remaining on” with “ban the person from entering or remaining on, or taking part in any casino gambling or promotional game on,”:Section 121(1)Section 122(1);

in the following sections, in the section heading, replace “excluded” with “casino‑excluded”:Section 126Section 127;

in the following provisions, replace “an excluded person” with “a casino‑excluded person”:Section 126(1)Section 127(2);

in section 126(2)(c), after “section 163(2)(d)”, insert “, 165(6)(ac) or 166A(8)(d)”; and

in section 127(2)(b)(i), replace “excluded” with “casino‑excluded”.

In the principal Act, delete sections 131 and 137.

In the principal Act, in section 139 —

in subsection (1), replace paragraphs (b) and (c) with —“(b)when the casino operator enters into a transaction involving the payment of $4,000 or more (whether or not in cash) in a single transaction to a patron or to any person acting on behalf of a patron;

when the casino operator receives a sum of $4,000 or more (whether or not in cash) in a single transaction from, or on behalf of, a patron;”;

in subsection (2), replace “transaction for any patron account, or with any cash transaction or deposit, as the case may be” with “transaction referred to in subsection (1), and must consider whether to make a suspicious transaction report”;

in subsection (2)(b), after “patron in question”, insert “or any person acting on behalf of the patron”;

in subsection (2)(b), replace “withdraw the cash transaction or deposit” with “stop the transaction in question”;

in subsection (5), after “In this section”, insert “and section 139A”;

in subsection (5), in the definition of “patron”, in paragraph (a), after “casino operator”, insert “in the person’s own behalf”;

in subsection (5), in the definition of “patron”, replace paragraph (b) with —“(b)is involved in any transaction with a casino operator involving the receipt or payment of funds by the person from or to a casino operator, in the person’s own behalf,”;

in subsection (5), in the definition of “patron account”, replace “opened by or on behalf of a patron with a casino operator.” with “established by a casino operator for a patron;”; and

in subsection (5), after the definition of “patron account”, insert —“ “suspicious transaction report” means a disclosure under section 45(1) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 or section 8 or 10 of the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act 2002.”.