Public Entertainments (Exemptions) Order

receive, free of charge, the goods or services specified by the voucher; or

pay a reduced price for, or receive a rebate upon purchasing, the goods or services specified by the voucher;“money equivalent” has the meaning given by section 14 of the Gambling Control Act 2022, except that a reference to “any gambling” in that section is to be read as a reference to “any public entertainment”;“restricted prize” means a prize that —

has a value of $100 or more; or

is or includes money, a money equivalent, the provision of credit, or a merchant voucher;[Deleted by S 350/2011 wef 01/07/2011]“specified demonstration” means any demonstration of one or more of the art and craft, sports or cultural activities specified in the Schedule;“temporary fair” means a temporary fair for which a permit has been obtained from the Director-General, Food Administration under section 35 of the Environmental Public Health Act 1987.

Any event (other than any constituency activity) wholly comprising —

[Deleted by S 318/2005 wef 27/05/2005](b)[Deleted by S 318/2005 wef 27/05/2005](c)[Deleted by S 813/2018 wef 17/12/2018](d)“sing-song”which is not organised in celebration of the Seventh Month Festival of the Chinese Lunar calendar, in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:

the event commences not earlier than 11 a.m. and ends not later than 10.30 p.m.;

not more than 4 loudspeakers are used during the event;

any loudspeaker used during the event is inclined downwards and positioned to face the audience;

any stage, structure, shed or fixture used or to be used for the event is not —

installed, erected or constructed; or

removed or dismantled,between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.;

no vulgar or obscene gesture or remark is made by any of the performers;

no vulgar or obscene song is performed;

the performers are not indecently attired;

in the case of sub-paragraph (d) —

[Deleted by S 473/2015 wef 06/08/2015](B)the performers do not mingle with the audience in any manner during their performance or while dressed in their performance attire;

the event shall not be held at the same place for more than 3 consecutive days within a month; and

where the event is held at the same place for more than 3 consecutive days, at least 7 days shall elapse before the event is held or continues at that place;

no member of the audience is invited to the stage or any other performance area during the event;

the organiser of the event, or an authorised agent of the organiser, is present at the place of the event at all times during the event; and

the organiser notifies any police officer on duty at any Neighbourhood Police Post, Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Land Division, at least 7 days before the event, in such form and manner as the Licensing Officer may determine.Seventh Month Festival(1A) Any public entertainment which is organised in celebration of the Seventh Month Festival of the Chinese Lunar calendar, in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, is exempted from the Act.Certain events at hotels or shopping centres(2) Any event (other than any constituency activity) wholly comprising —

any performance of music, singing or dancing, or any combination of such items, by or for children;

any display or exhibition using real-time transmission of the performance happening elsewhere (whether in or outside Singapore and whether in a public or private place) of any item, or any combination of the items, specified in sub‑paragraph (a);

any magic show;

the transmission of recorded music by any disc jockey; or

any organised competition at games of skill,in a plaza, concourse, atrium or lobby of any hotel or shopping centre, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:

not more than 2 loudspeakers are used during the event;

any loudspeaker used during the event is inclined downwards and positioned to face the audience;

no vulgar or obscene gesture or remark is made by any of the performers or, in the case of sub-paragraph (d), by any disc jockey;

no vulgar or obscene song is performed;

the performers are not indecently attired;

[Deleted by S 813/2018 wef 17/12/2018](vii)the organiser of the event, or an authorised agent of the organiser, is present at the place of the event at all times during the event; and

the organiser notifies any police officer on duty at any Neighbourhood Police Post, Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Land Division, at least 7 days before the event, in such form and manner as the Licensing Officer may determine.Busking(3) Busking by any person in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:

the busking takes place only at a place designated by the National Arts Council and a copy of the letter of endorsement of the busking from the National Arts Council is displayed at a conspicuous area thereat; and

during the busking, the person does not —

obstruct, or cause obstruction to, pedestrian or vehicular traffic;

actively solicit any donation;

use any sound amplification device, other than those that are battery-operated; or

make any vulgar or obscene gesture or remark.Fashion shows, etc.(4) Any event wholly comprising —

any fashion show or beauty pageant in any cabaret, nightclub, lounge, discotheque or pub;

any bridal show in any enclosed place; or

any fashion show in any enclosed place (other than a cabaret, nightclub, lounge, discotheque or pub) where no swimwear or lingerie is modelled,for which a licence is required under the Act, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:

no vulgar or obscene gesture or remark is made by any of the models, contestants or other participants;

the models, contestants or other participants of the event are not indecently attired;

the event commences not earlier than and ends not later than the operation hours of the cabaret, nightclub, lounge, discotheque or pub permitted by the Licensing Officer; and

barricades of at least one metre in height are provided at least one metre around the stage and any other event area;

in the case of sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) —

a raised platform of at least one metre in height is used by the participants during the event; and

barricades of at least one metre in height are provided at least one metre around the platform;

the organiser of the event, or an authorised agent of the organiser, is present at the place of the event at all times during the event; and

the organiser notifies any police officer on duty at any Neighbourhood Police Post, Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Land Division, at least 7 days before the event, in such form and manner as the Licensing Officer may determine.Bowling(5) Bowling in any bowling centre is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:

no gambling or betting takes place in the bowling centre;

a sign prohibiting gambling and betting at the bowling centre is displayed at a conspicuous place thereat; and

not more than one jukebox is provided at the bowling centre for the transmission of recorded music.(d)[Deleted by S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]Carnival games at fun fairs(6) The operation of carnival games at fun fairs is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:

the operation of the carnival games commences not earlier than 11 a.m. and ends not later than 10.30 p.m.;

[Deleted by S 350/2011 wef 01/07/2011](c)[Deleted by S 350/2011 wef 01/07/2011](d)the carnival games do not have any element of gambling or betting;

any generator used at the fun fair is placed within a barricaded area;

the organiser of the fun fair, or an authorised agent of the organiser, is present at the fun fair at all times during the operation hours of the fun fair; (g)the organiser notifies any police officer on duty at any Neighbourhood Police Post, Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Land Division, at least 7 days before the commencement of the fun fair, in such form and manner as the Licensing Officer may determine;

the organiser does not —

give, or offer, a restricted prize (other than a token that may be exchanged with the organiser for a good that is not a restricted prize) to a person for playing, or winning, a carnival game at the fun fair; or

exchange, or offer to exchange, a restricted prize for a prize, or token, given to a person for playing, or winning, a carnival game at the fun fair.‘Lion’ or ‘dragon’ dances(7) Any performance of ‘lion’ or ‘dragon’ dance in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:

not more than 2 ‘lions’ and not more than one ‘dragon’ are used during the performance;

the performance commences not earlier than 10 a.m. and ends not later than 10.30 p.m.;

the organiser of the performance, or an authorised agent of the organiser, is present at all times during the performance; and

the organiser notifies any police officer on duty at any Neighbourhood Police Post, Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Land Division, at least 7 days before the performance, in such form and manner as the Licensing Officer may determine.(8) [Deleted by S 813/2018 wef 17/12/2018]Constituency activities(9) Any constituency activity wholly comprising —

any performance of music, singing or dancing, or any combination of such items;

any magic show or comedy show;

the transmission of recorded music; or

any organised competition at games of skill,which is organised by or on behalf of a Member of Parliament and held in the constituency which he represents in Parliament, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:

the constituency activity commences not earlier than 7 a.m. and ends not later than 10.30 p.m.;

not more than 6 loudspeakers are used during the constituency activity;

any loudspeaker used during the constituency activity is inclined downwards and positioned to face the audience;

any stage, structure, shed or fixture used or to be used for the constituency activity is not —

installed, erected or constructed; or

removed or dismantled,between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.;

no vulgar or obscene gesture or remark is made by any of the performers;

no vulgar or obscene song is performed;

the performers are not indecently attired;

[Deleted by S 813/2018 wef 17/12/2018](ix)in the case of sub-paragraph (a), the performers do not mingle with the audience in any manner during their performance or while dressed in their performance attire;

the organiser of the constituency activity, or an authorised agent of the organiser, is present at all times during the constituency activity; and

the organiser notifies any police officer on duty at any Neighbourhood Police Post, Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Divisional Headquarters, at least 7 days before the constituency activity, in such form and manner as the Licensing Officer may determine.(9A) [Deleted by S 493/2009 wef 09/10/2009]Pin-tables(9B) Pin-tables installed in —

any bowling centre;

any massage establishment; or

any bar, billiard saloon, cabaret, café, discotheque, lounge, nightclub, pub or restaurant that is licensed under the Act,are exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:

not more than 5 pin-tables are installed at those premises;

the pin-tables are of a type approved by the Licensing Officer;

no gambling or betting takes place at those premises;

a sign prohibiting gambling and betting at those premises is displayed at a conspicuous place thereat;

no person below the age of 16 years is permitted to in any way use any of the pin-tables at those premises at any time on any school day except between 6.30 p.m. and midnight;

no student wearing a school uniform or any part thereof, or a school T-shirt, is permitted to in any way use any of the pin-tables at all times; (vii)the person having control or management of those premises does not provide, or cause or permit to be provided, a change of clothes to any student;

the person having control or management of those premises does not —

give, or offer, a restricted prize (other than a token that may be exchanged with the person having control or management of the premises for a good that is not a restricted prize) to a person for using a pin‑table in those premises or winning a pin‑table game in those premises; or

exchange, or offer to exchange, a restricted prize for a prize, or token, given to a person for using a pin‑table in those premises or winning a pin‑table game in those premises.Demonstration of art and craft, sports or cultural activities(9C) Any specified demonstration in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:

the specified demonstration is not directed towards any political end;

the specified demonstration is not intended to show support for or opposition to the views or actions of any person, publicise a cause or campaign, or mark or commemorate any event;

the specified demonstration is carried out in a designated area or performance area and does not create any obstruction to the passage of any member of the public or any vehicle or vessel; and

the organiser of the specified demonstration takes reasonable measures to ensure the safety of the demonstrators thereof and the members of the public.Computer games centre at hotels(9D) Any computer games centre in any hotel is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:

the computer games centre is operated by the hotel-keeper, or by the owner or manager of the hotel;

the computer games available or provided at the centre are of a type approved under the Films Act 1981; and

the computer games at the centre are played only by registered guests of the hotel.Golf simulator centres(9E) Any golf simulator centre is exempted from the Act if all of the following conditions are complied with:

no other form of public entertainment within the meaning of the Act (except the transmission of recorded music) is offered within the golf simulator centre; (b)no gambling or betting takes place in the golf simulator centre; (c)a sign prohibiting gambling and betting at the golf simulator centre is displayed in a conspicuous place inside the golf simulator centre.Miscellaneous(10) The following classes of public entertainments are exempted from the Act:

all athletic meetings and sporting contests between persons provided by a school registered or exempted under the Education Act 1957;

any academic activity undertaken by a school registered or exempted under the Education Act 1957 where prior approval in writing has been granted by the Minister for Education or any officer authorised by him in that behalf;

all amateur athletic meetings and sporting contests between persons provided by a society registered under the Societies Act 1966;

[Deleted by S 220/2006 wef 05/04/2006](e)[Deleted by S 283/2006 wef 01/06/2006](f)any exhibition of films in any cinema and in any other place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise;

any public entertainment organised or sponsored by the Management Committee of the Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre and held in that Theatre, provided that —

where the public entertainment is or includes a fun fair with carnival games, the Management Committee does not —

give, or offer, a restricted prize (other than a token that may be exchanged with the Management Committee for a good that is not a restricted prize) to a person for playing, or winning, a carnival game at the fun fair; or

exchange, or offer to exchange, a restricted prize for a prize, or token, given to a person for playing, or winning, a carnival game at the fun fair; and

where the public entertainment is or includes a pin‑table, the Management Committee does not —

give, or offer, a restricted prize (other than a token that may be exchanged with the Management Committee for a good that is not a restricted prize) to a person for using the pin‑table or winning the pin‑table game; or

exchange, or offer to exchange, a restricted prize for a prize, or token, given to a person for using the pin‑table or winning the pin‑table game;

[Deleted by S 813/2018 wef 17/12/2018](i)any public entertainment (without any lecture, talk, address, debate or discussion) organised by The Esplanade Co. Ltd. in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, provided that —

where the public entertainment is or includes a fun fair with carnival games, The Esplanade Co. Ltd. does not —

give, or offer, a restricted prize (other than a token that may be exchanged with The Esplanade Co. Ltd. for a good that is not a restricted prize) to a person for playing, or winning, a carnival game at the fun fair; or

exchange, or offer to exchange, a restricted prize for a prize, or token, given to a person for playing, or winning, a carnival game at the fun fair; and

where the public entertainment is or includes a pin‑table, The Esplanade Co. Ltd. does not —

give, or offer, a restricted prize (other than a token that may be exchanged with The Esplanade Co. Ltd. for a good that is not a restricted prize) to a person for using the pin‑table or winning the pin‑table game; or

exchange, or offer to exchange, a restricted prize for a prize, or token, given to a person for using the pin‑table or winning the pin‑table game;

the transmission of recorded music in the premises of hotels, shopping centres, offices, clinics and shops, excluding the transmission of recorded music by any disc jockey or by the operation of any jukebox;

the transmission of recorded music by the operation of any jukebox in any air-conditioned premises (not being premises for which a Class 1A or Class 1B liquor licence is granted under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015) to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise;

the transmission of recorded music in restaurants, except during any time when the premises are being operated as a bar, pub or nightclub as defined in rule 2 of the Planning (Use Classes) Rules (R 2);

the transmission of recorded music or playing of live-band music, or any karaoke singing, between 7 a.m. and 10.30 p.m. at weddings which are held in HDB void decks or along the roadside in non-HDB areas (including those held in the compounds of private houses) or in multi-purpose halls;

the transmission of recorded music or playing of live-band music between 7 a.m. and 10.30 p.m. at a funeral held in any place specified in sub-paragraph (m);

all pin-tables installed in the premises of the St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital for Children, where the St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital for Children does not —

give, or offer, a restricted prize (other than a token that may be exchanged with the St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital for Children for a good that is not a restricted prize) to a person for using a pin‑table at the premises or winning a pin‑table game at the premises; or

exchange, or offer to exchange, a restricted prize for a prize, or token, given to a person for using a pin‑table at the premises or winning a pin‑table game at the premises;

all pin-tables on board any aircraft belonging to Singapore Airlines Limited, where Singapore Airlines Limited does not —

give, or offer, a restricted prize (other than a token that may be exchanged with Singapore Airlines Limited for a good that is not a restricted prize) to a person for using a pin‑table on board the aircraft or winning a pin‑table game on board the aircraft; or

exchange, or offer to exchange, a restricted prize for a prize, or token, given to a person for using a pin‑table on board the aircraft or winning a pin‑table game on board the aircraft;

any public entertainment provided at any S-League football match, provided that —

where the public entertainment is or includes a fun fair with carnival games, the provider of the public entertainment does not —

give, or offer, a restricted prize (other than a token that may be exchanged with the provider of the public entertainment for a good that is not a restricted prize) to a person for playing, or winning, a carnival game at the fun fair; or

exchange, or offer to exchange, a restricted prize for a prize, or token, given to a person for playing, or winning, a carnival game at the fun fair; and

where the public entertainment is or includes a pin‑table, the provider of the public entertainment does not —

give, or offer, a restricted prize (other than a token that may be exchanged with the provider of the public entertainment for a good that is not a restricted prize) to a person for using the pin‑table or winning the pin‑table game; or

exchange, or offer to exchange, a restricted prize for a prize, or token, given to a person for using the pin‑table or winning the pin‑table game;

[Deleted by S 493/2009 wef 09/10/2009](s)any exhibition of animals, including pet shows.