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Singapore to block remote gambling websites


The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in Singapore has announced that all websites that provide or promote online gambling will be blocked when the Remote Gambling Act comes in to force on Feb. 2. The Act, which was passed in Parliament last October, stipulates that it is an offense for a person to gamble remotely with unauthorized operators, or provide unauthorized gambling services. The law is aimed at protecting young and other vulnerable people.

In a separate press release, the MHA clarified that the law does not extend to social games: "MDA wishes to reiterate that the Act does not cover games which do not, as part of the game design, enable players to receive money or money’s worth consequent to the outcome of that game," it stated.

As for leader boards, which rank and reward top players or tournaments organized by game developers or promoters where players can win real-world prizes, such as League of Legends in its current form, the agency said that the Act does not cover these. "MDA notes that the Act will not impede the development of legitimate social media gaming businesses and will continue working with the gaming industry to ensure its continued growth and development," it said.

 

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