Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) have recently introduced a significant legislative change concerning casino entry levies for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents. The proposed amendment aims to fix entry levies at S$150 (US$114) per day and S$3,000 annually. This change is encapsulated in the Casino Control (Amendment) Bill, presented to Parliament by Minister of State for Home Affairs and for Social and Family Development, Sun Xueling.
Singapore’s New Casino Control Bill Proposes Fixed Entry Levies at S$150 Daily and S$3,000 Annually
Overview of the Casino Control (Amendment) Bill
The Casino Control (Amendment) Bill is a critical legislative update intended to address an oversight from the 2019 order concerning casino entry levies. This bill reflects a broader effort by the Singaporean government to ensure that regulatory measures remain effective and aligned with the country’s strategic goals for gambling control.
Key Aspects of the Amendment:
- Daily Levy Adjustment: The amendment proposes a fixed daily levy of S$150 for entry into casinos by Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.
- Annual Levy Adjustment: An annual levy of S$3,000 is also proposed, intended to control frequent access to casinos.
- Legislative Context: This amendment follows a previous increase in entry levies, which had been set at S$100 daily and S$2,000 annually as of April 4, 2019. The current change addresses the automatic reversion to lower rates due to the expiry of the 2019 order.
Reason for the Legislative Change
The introduction of the Casino Control (Amendment) Bill is a direct response to an oversight where the expiry of the 2019 order led to a reversion of entry levies to their previous lower rates. The MHA and MSF have emphasized that the higher entry levies were intended to be maintained beyond the five-year period. This legislative update is designed to correct the oversight and ensure that the entry levies align with the government’s long-term objectives for gambling regulation.
Government Intentions:
- Maintaining Higher Levies: The government’s intent was always to sustain higher entry levies beyond the five-year term of the 2019 order.
- Process Improvement: The MHA and MSF have revised their processes to prevent similar oversights in the future, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining the current levy rates.
Additional Regulatory Changes and Penalties
In addition to fixing the entry levies, the proposed changes to the law include new penalties for breaching family visit limits at casinos. This aspect of the bill is designed to enhance control and prevent misuse of the casino access regulations.
New Penalties Include:
- Fines: Up to S$10,000 for breaching the family visit limits.
- Imprisonment: Up to 12 months of imprisonment for violations, emphasizing the seriousness of the new regulations.
Recent Regulatory Updates and Context
In a related update, Singapore’s approach to counter-terrorism financing has also seen changes. In July 2024, Singapore reduced the cash deposit threshold for due diligence checks on casino customers. This adjustment forms part of Singapore’s updated National Strategy for Countering the Financing of Terrorism, reflecting the country’s ongoing efforts to enhance financial security and regulatory oversight in the gambling sector.
Recent Changes Include:
- Lowered Cash Deposit Threshold: This change aims to improve the scrutiny of financial transactions in casinos, enhancing overall due diligence processes.
Conclusion: The Casino Bill
The Casino Control (Amendment) Bill represents a significant shift in Singapore’s gambling regulatory framework. By fixing casino entry levies and introducing stricter penalties for regulatory breaches, the bill aims to enhance control and oversight in the gambling sector. These measures are part of Singapore’s broader strategy to maintain a well-regulated gambling environment while addressing any legislative oversights from previous orders.
FAQs About Singapore’s Casino Entry Levy Changes
1. What is the Casino Control (Amendment) Bill?
The Casino Control (Amendment) Bill is a proposed legislative update introduced by Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). It aims to fix casino entry levies for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents at S$150 per day and S$3,000 annually.
2. Why is the Casino Control (Amendment) Bill being introduced?
The bill addresses an oversight from a 2019 order that inadvertently led to a reversion of entry levies to lower rates after the order’s expiry. The amendment ensures that higher levies are maintained as originally intended by the government.
3. What were the entry levies before the proposed changes?
Prior to the proposed changes, the entry levies were S$100 per day and S$2,000 annually, as set by the 2019 order.
4. What new penalties are introduced with this amendment?
The proposed amendment introduces new penalties for breaching family visit limits at casinos, including fines of up to S$10,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months.
5. How does the amendment affect family visit limits at casinos?
The amendment makes it a punishable offense to breach the family visit limits set for casinos, with significant fines and potential imprisonment as penalties.
6. What recent changes have been made to cash deposit thresholds for casino customers?
In July 2024, Singapore lowered the cash deposit threshold for due diligence checks as part of its updated National Strategy for Countering the Financing of Terrorism. This aims to enhance scrutiny of financial transactions in casinos.
7. When will the new casino entry levies come into effect?
The exact implementation date for the fixed entry levies is not specified in the amendment. The bill must go through the legislative process before the changes are officially enacted.
8. How does this amendment fit into Singapore’s broader gambling regulation strategy?
The amendment is part of Singapore’s broader strategy to maintain effective gambling control, ensuring that entry levies are consistent and that regulatory oversights are addressed promptly.
