Frequently Asked Questions for Gaming Machine Rooms
- What types of activities does this licence cover?
This licence allows a licensee to provide a gambling service consisting of making available one (1) or more gaming machines for its members to play.
- Who is eligible for this licence?
Only community organisations are eligible for this licence. Community organisations include any of the following entities that is formed in Singapore and that has its central management and control ordinarily exercised at a place within Singapore: a club, a co-operative society, a mutual benefit organisation, a trade union, an unincorporated association or an incorporated body other than a corporation that returns profits to its members that operates a business of a recreation club or a similar business.
- Who needs to apply for a GMR Licence?
Community organisations that wish to provide a gambling service consisting of making available one (1) or more gaming machines for its members to play would need to apply for a GMR Licence.
- What matters would GRA take into consideration when deciding whether to grant or renew a GMR Licence?
The matters that GRA will take into consideration when deciding whether to grant or renew a GMR Licence are:
- whether the applicant is or is not carrying on or intending to provide any other gambling service;
- whether the applicant is or is not a holder of another licence issued by GRA or already a class licensee;
- the demand for the gambling service in the application;
- whether the applicant does or does not have (or is likely or unlikely to have) the financial capacity and ability to provide the gambling service in the application in accordance with any statutory and/or regulatory requirements;
- whether the applicant, its responsible executives1 and category 1 key officers2 are suitable persons to be involved in the provision of the gambling service in the application;
- whether the applicant has gambling service agents;
- whether it is contrary to the public interest or national security of Singapore for the applicant to be granted a GMR Licence; and
- any other matters and evidence as may be relevant.
Other matters that GRA may take into consideration include but are not limited to the following:
- whether the applicant’s written constitution or Memorandum & Articles of Association contains any prohibition against gambling;
- whether the applicant has been in operation for at least three (3) years preceding the application for a GMR Licence;
- whether the applicant has at least 500 registered members (who are 21 years old and above, who have access to the GMR and whose membership tenure is at least 1 year) during the year preceding the application for a licence;
- whether the applicant offers a wide range of social and recreational facilities such that the operation of gaming machines would form only an ancillary part of the applicant’s facilities;
- whether the applicant only allows members to engage in gaming using gaming machines;
- whether the applicant offers categories or classes of membership which permit members to engage in gaming using gaming machines, while placing restrictions on the use of any of the applicant’s other social or recreational facilities; and
- whether the applicant has a good track record of compliance to legal and regulatory requirements.
1 "Responsible executive", in relation to an applicant, means an officer thereof who is:
- in the case of a corporation, a director, chief executive, general manager or a person in a position analogous to any of those offices;
- in the case of a society or unincorporated association (other than a partnership), a president, secretary or treasurer or a person in a position analogous to that of a president, secretary or treasurer;
and includes any person carrying out the duties of any such office referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) if the office is vacant.
2 “Category 1 key officers” are individuals who perform (whether or not appointed under a contract of service) duties in a managerial or directorial capacity, and is authorised to make decisions, involving the exercise of his or her discretion, which are relevant to the management of the gaming machine room and/or the conduct of gaming in that room.
- How do I make an application? Where can I obtain the licence application form?
Please contact GRA at Licensing@gra.gov.sg for more information.
- How long will the licence be valid for?
The GMR Licence remains in force for the period for which it is granted, as specified in the licence, except when it is suspended or earlier revoked or cancelled. The tenure of a GMR Licence may be up to three (3) years.
- What are the fees involved?
- application fees; and
- licence and approval fees.
- Application Fee for New GMR Licence – S$640
- Application Fee for Renewal of Existing GMR Licence – S$580
- Application Fee for Gambling Venue Approval – S$325
- Can I apply for a refund or waiver of application, licence or approval fee(s)?
There is no waiver of application, licence or approval fees. All application, licence and approval fees paid to GRA are also non-refundable.
There are two (2) types of fees involved:
A. Application fees
B. Licence and approval fees
| 1. GMR Licence Fee | (a) A × $2.75 for any part of the term falling within 1 August 2022 and 31 October 2023 (both dates inclusive); (b) B × $19.15 for any part of the term falling on or after 1 November 2023, where A and B are the number of whole days of the term of the licence within the respective periods. |
| 2. Gambling Venue Approval Fee | (a) A × $2.75 for any part of the term falling within 1 August 2022 and 31 October 2023 (both dates inclusive); (b) B × $19.15 for any part of the term falling on or after 1 November 2023, where A and B are the number of whole days of the term of the approval within the respective periods. |
Community organisations will only be issued a GMR Licence and Gambling Venue Approval upon full payment of the fees payable for the entire validity period of the said licence and approval.