Singapore’s citizens and permanent residents gambled less in 2024, with only about 2.8 percent of the population visiting casinos in the territory, according to the city-state’s Gambling Regulatory Authority.
The amount equates to about 94,000 adults, dropping from 99,000 the previous year. And it doesn’t only refer to sporadic gamblers.
The GRA annual report notes that ‘the number of entry levies purchased by SCPRs also continued to trend downwards, with the number of annual levy holders decreasing from about 7,100 to about 6,700.’
This is good news in regards to problem gambling control measures and government efforts to mitigate gambling harm. It is expected to be boosted by further regulatory framework approaches, including a push to “embrace new technologies, adapt data-driven approaches and recalibrate our regulatory strategies to address emerging challenges,” notes the GRA Chairman Tan Tee How.
Keeping operators in check
The GRA Chairman echoed the regulator’s approach towards intense oversight of gaming companies, citing the cases in Australia where operators stepped beyond the bounds.
“The casino license renewals this year demonstrate our commitment to this compliance-first approach: Our decision to issue a shortened license tenure to Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in February 2025 underscores our resolve to use effective regulatory levers to ensure the casino operators meet high regulatory standards while continuing to develop as world-class integrated resorts”.
Data as power
But this can only be done with a tech-forward approach, something that the Merlion city has been renowned for.
“We have significantly enhanced our sensemaking capabilities through investing in data analytics and data visualization tools. These tools enable us to gain richer insights such as to better detect patterns, identify trends, and anticipate potential regulatory concerns.”
“For instance, GRA has developed a model to predict casino visitorship trends so as to enable efficient and effective deployment of GRA’s resources at the casinos. GRA has also engaged gambling operators to collect and analyze data on new bet types to better assess if strategies to divert illegal gambling to legal channels have been effective,” indicated the Chairman.
The city, and the regulator, is aiming to integrate generative Artificial Intelligence AI models “to strengthen our risk-based decision-making and automate compliance monitoring”, with hopes that AI can be deployed “across all facets of GRA’s operations”.
Fix the problem before it arises
Singapore has been very highly focused on crafting and implementing legislation before there are consequences. No gaming industry is perfect, but Singapore is lauded as one of the best, and its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) updates have placed it in the top echelon.
Its increase in fees for locals to enter the casinos also helped tamper down problem gaming possibilities, evidenced by the low gambling addiction rate in the city.
So what’s next? AI appears to be the main focus, but the GRA’s goals also encompass a desire to “continue to build a shared purpose and ethos, and remain dedicated to upholding our mission of protecting the people of Singapore from gambling harms”.
