What is Responsible Gambling

What is Responsible Gambling?

• A set of collective actions by individuals, the community and gambling industry to minimise the harm of gambling in our society.
  
  
  • Individuals. Viewing gambling as a form of entertainment, being aware of the risks involved in gambling and being able to manage one’s gambling behaviour by:
    • Exercising self-control over gambling.
    • Balancing gambling with other activities.
    • Setting a limit to the frequency and time spent on gambling; and
    • Setting a budget for gambling.
  
  
  • Community and gambling industry. The shared commitment among gambling operators to provide gambling services in a responsible manner, in harmony with community expectations, such that the harm of gambling to the society is minimised.
    
    
    • Casino operators are mandated under the Casino Control Act to implement a responsible gambling programme that is approved by the Gambling Regulatory Authority. The responsible gambling requirements include, but are not limited to:
      • A system to allow patrons to set limits on their gambling expenditure or period of continuous gambling;
      • Patron education and assistance on responsible gambling;
      • Training of casino employees on responsible gambling measures;
      • Keeping records related to responsible gambling activities; and
      • Regular review of the responsible gambling programme.
    • Singapore Pools is licensed under the Gambling Control Act and is required to implement a Responsible Gambling Programme which includes:
      • Training of employees on responsible gambling measures;
      • Player education and assistance on responsible gambling;
      • Displaying responsible gambling messages and information on seeking assistance with problem gambling; and
      • Regular review of the responsible gambling programme.
    • In addition, for the provision of remote gambling services, Singapore Pools is to implement responsible gambling requirements such as:
      • Allowing players to set monthly expenditure and funding limits;
      • Providing alerts when player reaches 50%, 75% and 100% of the expenditure limit;
      • Allowing access to month-to-date and year-to-date information on betting activities and win/loss; and
      • Displaying time counter to show player how long he/she has been using the account.
    • With effect from November 2022, the new Gambling Control Act will also mandate private clubs with jackpot machines to implement responsible gambling measures such as:
      • Having a responsible gambling programme;
      • Providing patron education and assistance;
      • Ensuring documentation of responsible gambling activities.