On August 16, Singapore established its new Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), which replaces the former Casino Regulatory Authority but is led by the same chief executive, Teo Chun Ching.
At a ceremony to mark the inauguration, Singapore’s Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo said the GRA will strengthen gaming regulation in the city, especially as online gaming grows in popularity.
“There are more and more variants of gaming, gambling and games of chance, such as those involving cryptocurrencies or using crypto technology,” Teo told the Straits Times.
GRA Chairman Tan Tee How said the entity would equip its officers with new skills and competencies such as data analytics and artificial intelligence. “With our expanded mandate, we will redouble our effort to enhance our operational agility, develop our officers, and foster a digitally-enabled workplace.”
Singapore is home to two casino-resorts: Marina Bay Sands, run by a subsidiary of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., and Resorts World Sentosa, operated by Genting Singapore Ltd.
The GRA will “allow the government to more effectively stay ahead of technological and gambling trends, respond more adequately to emerging gambling products, and take a more holistic and coherent approach to gambling policies,” according to a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs issued in late July.
The GRA Act grants the regulator the authority to issue licenses for betting and lottery businesses, gaming machine rooms, gambling in private establishments and “lower-risk gambling products” such as promotional lucky draws.
