Singapore passes bill outlawing online gambling

Singapore’s parliament, after a more than three-hour debate, passed a bill to ban online gambling on the island, with some lawmakers questioning a decision to allow exemptions to the rule.
Under the law, applicants who want to apply for an online gambling license have to meet strict criteria - be based in Singapore, be not for profit, contribute to a social cause, and have a good compliance track record, according to local media reports.
Some said that providing legal exemptions sent mixed messages and called for the bill to be brought before a select committee.
However, the reports cited Second Minister for Home Affairs S. Iswaran as saying that was not necessary. Singapore’s stance towards gambling is to maintain strict controls and clearly criminalize illegal activities.
He pointed to the example of legalizing Singapore Pools and the Singapore Turf Club to provide a controlled legal channel amidst a rise in triad and other criminal activity.
"We prohibit gambling, unless it is specifically allowed for by way of a stringently regulated exemption or license. We will adopt a similar approach to remote gambling,” he said.
Casino-style games and poker will also not be allowed, though the ban won’t affect social and video games as long as in-game credits can’t be converted to cash.