Frequently Asked Questions for Tombola

  1. What types of activities does this licence cover?

    This licence allows a licensee to provide a gambling service offering an opportunity to or otherwise facilitating playing a game of chance like Tombola for a prize.

  2. 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.

  3. Who needs to apply for a Tombola Licence?

    Community organisations that wish to provide a gambling service offering an opportunity to or otherwise facilitating playing a game of chance (Tombola) for a prize would need to apply for a Tombola Licence.

    A “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 —

    1. whether or not described as a prize; and
    2. whether or not consisting wholly or partly of any money or money equivalent or any thing else of value paid or provided by the persons of the class among whom the prize is allocated.

  4. What matters would GRA take into consideration when deciding whether to grant or renew a Tombola Licence?

    The matters that GRA will take into consideration when deciding whether to grant or renew a Tombola 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 executives1 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 Tombola 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’s written constitution or Memorandum & Articles of Association contains any prohibition against gambling;
    2. whether the applicant has been in operation for at least one (1) year preceding the application for a Tombola Licence;
    3. whether the applicant has at least 500 registered members (who are 21 years old and above, who have access to the Tombola venue and whose membership tenure is at least 1 year) during the year preceding the application for a licence;
    4. whether the applicant offers a wide range of social and recreational facilities such that the operation of Tombola activities would form only an ancillary part of the applicant’s facilities;
    5. whether the applicant only allows members to game in Tombola;
    6. whether the applicant offers categories or classes of membership which permit members to game in Tombola, while placing restrictions on the use of any of the applicant’s other social or recreational facilities; and
    7. 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:

    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;
    2. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. How long will the licence be valid for?

    The Tombola 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 Tombola Licence may be up to three (3) years.

  7. What are the fees involved?

    There are two (2) types of fees involved:

    1. application fees; and
    2. licence and approval fees.

    A. Application fees

    1. Application Fee for New Tombola Licence – S$320
    2. Application Fee for Renewal of Existing Tombola Licence – S$220
    3. Application Fee for Gambling Venue Approval – S$370

    B. Licence and approval fees

    1. Tombola Licence Fee – S$235 per year*
    2. Gambling Venue Approval Fee – S$235 per year*

    *The Tombola Licence Fee and Gambling Venue Approval Fee payable will be pro-rated based on the validity period of the Tombola Licence and Gambling Venue Approval.

    Community organisations will only be issued a Tombola Licence and Gambling Venue Approval upon full payment of the fees payable for the entire validity period of the said licence and approval.

  8. 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.