Casino visits by Singapore citizens, PRs fell by 5,000 from 2023 to 2024: Gambling authority

SINGAPORE – Visits to casinos by Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs) fell by 5,000 in 2024 compared with 2023, according to the latest annual report from the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) published on Oct 2.

Some 94,000 citizens and PRs visited casinos in 2024, compared with about 99,000 in 2023.

The number of entry levies purchased by citizens and PRs continued to trend downwards, with the number of annual levy holders decreasing from about 7,100 to about 6,700. A day levy costs $150 and an annual one is $3,000.

Singapore has two major casinos within Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).

The report noted that problem gambling rates among residents remained “low and stable” at 1.1 per cent, based on the findings of a 2023 survey conducted by the National Council on Problem Gambling.

In the foreword, GRA chairman Tan Tee How said that to ensure its regulatory framework remains effective, the GRA will continue to adopt new technologies, embrace data-driven approaches and recalibrate its regulatory strategies to address emerging challenges. But he noted: “While systems and controls are crucial, the human element remains paramount in maintaining regulatory effectiveness.”

The GRA is working closely with gambling operators to strengthen their compliance and risk culture while using artificial intelligence to help detect regulatory anomalies and at-risk behaviour, added Mr Tan.

“Our approach aligns with evolving global standards, where operators are expected to prioritise the protection of vulnerable individuals,” he said.

He noted that recent developments in Australia stress the need for operators to ensure safer gaming environments, and where operators failed to do so, regulators have taken stronger action in response.

Mr Tan also referred to the GRA’s November 2024 decision to renew RWS’ casino licence for only two years instead of three, after its

tourism performance was found unsatisfactory by the authorities.

He said: “The casino licence renewals this year demonstrate our commitment to this compliance-first approach: Our decision to issue a shortened licence tenure to Resorts World Sentosa in February 2025 underscores our resolve to use effective regulatory levers to ensure the casino operators meet high regulatory standards while continuing to develop as world-class integrated resorts.”

The report also shared that the GRA had suspended the gambling venue approval granted for gaming machine rooms located in six Safra locations from Sept 7 to 13 in 2024.

The suspension was imposed as the gambling venues in Jurong, Mount Faber, Punggol, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Yishun had failed to “conduct requisite social safeguard checks”.

Mr Tan also said the authority has expanded its use of data analytics and data visualisation tools, which enable the GRA “to better detect patterns, identify trends and anticipate potential regulatory concerns”.

He noted that GRA has developed a model to predict casino visitorship trends and engaged gambling operators to collect and analyse data on new bet types to better assess if strategies to divert illegal gambling to legal channels have been effective.

The Straits Times has contacted Safra for more information.