FAQ for Lottery and Betting

Frequently Asked Questions for Lottery and Betting

1. What types of activities does this licence cover?

The licence allows a licensee to conduct any of the following gambling services:

1. betting operations;
2. games of chance where players can play for prizes¹; and
3. lotteries.

¹A “prize”, in relation to any gambling, includes any money or money equivalent or any thing else of value that may be won under the arrangements for that gambling.

(a) Conducting betting operations

A person conducts a betting operation if, amongst other things, that person:

1. accepts or receives bets;
2. pays or settles bets; or
3. facilitates others to bet in accordance with arrangements made by that person.

For more information on other activities that constitute the conduct of betting operations, please refer to Section 6 of the Gambling Control Act 2022 (“GCA”).

(b) Conducting games of chance where players can play for prizes

A person conducts a game of chance if, amongst other things, that person:

1. organises a game of chance, such that others may play that game and stand to win a prize; or
2. facilitate others to play a game of chance

in accordance with arrangements made by that person.

For more information on other activities that constitute the conduct of games of chance, please refer to Section 8 of the GCA.

(c) Conducting lotteries

A person conducts a lottery if, amongst other things, that person:

1. organises the lottery;
2. operates the lottery, or
3. facilitates others to participate in the lottery with arrangements made by that person.

For more information on the other activities that constitute the conduct of lotteries, please refer to Section 10 of the GCA.

2. What matters would GRA take into consideration when deciding whether to grant or renew an application for a licence to conduct betting operations, gaming and lotteries?

   The matters that GRA will take into consideration when deciding whether to grant or renew the licence are:

   1. whether the applicant is or is not carrying on or intending to provide any other gambling service;
   2. whether the applicant is or is not a holder of another licence issued by GRA or already a class licensee;
   3. the demand for the gambling service in the application;
   4. 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;
   5. whether the applicant and its responsible executives² are suitable persons to be involved in the provision of the gambling service in the application;
   6. whether the applicant has gambling service agents;
   7. whether it is contrary to the public interest or national security of Singapore for the applicant to be granted a licence; and
   8. 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:

   1. whether the applicant is established, incorporated, registered or otherwise based in Singapore;
   2. whether the applicant is a not-for-profit entity that distributes the moneys forming part of its funds to public, social or charitable purposes in Singapore; and
   3. whether the applicant intends to offer gambling services to the public at large.

   ²"Responsible executive", in relation to an applicant, means an officer thereof who is:

   1. in the case of a corporation, a director, chief executive, general manager or a person in a position analogous to any of those offices; and
   2. in the case of a corporation whose affairs are managed by its members, a member designated by those members to be the responsible executive of the corporation,

   and includes any person carrying out the duties of any such office referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) if the office is vacant.

3. Are there any other approvals required in addition to a licence to conduct betting operations, gaming and lotteries?

   Apart from a licence to conduct betting operations, gaming and lotteries, an applicant must also obtain the following approvals:

   1. Game and Game Rules Approval; and
   2. Gambling Venue Approval.
   
   
4. Where can I obtain further information relating to this licence?

   Please contact GRA at Licensing@gra.gov.sg for more information.

5. How long will the licence be valid for?

   The 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 licence to conduct betting operations, gaming and lotteries may be up to three (3) years.

6. What are the fees involved?

   There are two (2) types of fees involved:

   1. application fees; and
   2. licence fees.

   A. Application fees

   1. Application Fee for New Licence – S$6,860
   2. Application Fee for Renewal of Existing Licence – S$6,815

   B. Licence and approval fees

   1. Licence Fee – S$2,756,000 per year (or part of a year) of the term of the licence.
   
   
7. Can I apply for a refund or waiver of application or licence fee(s)?

There is no waiver of application or licence fees. All application and licence fees paid to GRA are also non-refundable.