Singapore Pools still waiting on online betting approval

Monday 30th of May 2016

Lottery operator Singapore Pools is still waiting on approval to run its first online betting website with less than two weeks to the start of Euro 2016, The Straits Times reports.

According to a spokesman from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the application from Singapore Pools for exemption from laws that curb online betting "is currently being evaluated".

Last July, both Singapore Pools and the Singapore Turf Club had applied to be exempted under the Remote Gambling Act. At the time, the MHA said the evaluation process would take nine to 12 months.

The MHA spokesman said for exemption, the entity applying had to be not for profit and one which contributes to public, social and charitable causes in Singapore, the rule does not leave much “wiggle room” for other applicants other than the two incumbents in Singapore.

Should an exemption certificate be issued, the operator has to keep the management and operations of the remote gambling service free from criminal influence, ensure the integrity of the operations, and implement social safeguards and responsible gambling measures.

At the moment, the existing website only allows punters to check sports odds, with actual wagers to be placed over the phone or at retail outlets.

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