Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs is set to introduce tough new regulations for clubs with slot machines, including a mandatory self-exclusion program, reduced quotas and lifting the age limit from 18 to 21.
The new measures, which come into effect on 30 April 2018, were announced by Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam on Thursday following revelations in April that Tiong Bahru Football Club generated SG$36.8 million in revenue from 29 machines in 2016 – prompting calls for an investigation into how clubs prioritize their activities.
Under the new rules, Singapore’s 82 clubs must demonstrate that they are operating “a suitably wide range of substantive recreational and social facilities.”
“Our sense is that some (operators) sort of pay lip service to the need to provide other services and focus on the jackpot machines as their primary objective. That we cannot allow,” said Mr Shanmugam.
It is anticipated that the regulations will see the number of slot machines – known locally as jackpot machines – fall by around one third from around 1,900 currently.
Advertising of jackpot machines within the clubs themselves will be banned, as will the presence of ATMs and electronic funds transfer facilities within jackpot machine rooms.
Each club will be assessed by a permit officer to determine if they are operating within the new guidelines. Those failing to do so face a fine of up to SG$20,000 or a year in jail.
“I think it is fair to say it is likely that if some of the clubs don’t change their model … then it will be difficult to carry on in their current form,” Mr Shanmugam added.
The new rules do not apply to Singapore’s casinos.
