Singapore game industry

Influencers are very much celebrated as inspirational and trendsetting personalities that audiences deeply resonate with, and this is especially relevant in the video games industry. What are its unique quirks and challenges? On the topic of talent, what advice would you give to studios considering opening in Singapore? The future of mobile and free-to-play F2P gaming in this region.

What lies ahead for Singapore and the regional video game industry? He is passionate about video games and exploring the unknowns in this space. Marc Johns oversees all marketing and communications efforts in the region, with a focus on building and fostering meaningful long-term relationships with Southeast Asian gamers.

Gwen Guo is a Singapore-based sound designer for video games and also the co-founder of Imba Interactive with about 9 years in the industry. Having experience of heading a startup, she developed project management skills with a flair for organisation and execution whilst maintaining welfare of co-workers and staff. Aside from being part of the IGDA Committee - , she also kickstarted Game Audio Singapore, a local game audio community aimed to provide knowledge and sharing among students and professionals.

His work has won multiple awards and been featured in various news outlets including Wired. Simon is also the co-chair of SG Tech's Gaming committee, the official trade association for tech and gaming in Singapore. He remains Chairman of Ksubaka, an award-winning retail tech company that he co-founded with his brother, Giles Corbett. After a couple years, he took a leap of faith and shifted to the production team on the Rabbids Invasion TV series, before transitioning to production in video game development.

Get first dibs on all things gamescom asia from the latest event updates and releases, special offers, and the chance to tell your friends you know something that they don't. Complete the fields to confirm your free subscription to our very attractive enewsletter. Thank you for your interest in gamescom asia. Casino Control Act, which regulates the two licensed casinos in Singapore.

Online gambling activities are regulated by the Remote Gambling Act. Definitions of gambling. What is the legal definition of gambling in your jurisdiction and what falls within this definition? Land-based gambling Under the Common Gaming Houses Act, there is no express distinction drawn between "gaming" and "gambling". The Betting Act defines a "common betting-house" as any place kept or used for betting or wagering on any event or contingency of or relating to any horse-race or other sport event, which is reflective of sports-type betting.

The Private Lotteries Act defines a "lottery" as any game, method, scheme or device where money or money's-worth is distributed or allotted in any manner depending on or to be determined by chance or lot, whether the same is held, drawn, exercised or managed either in whole or in part within or outside Singapore. Under the Casino Control Act, a "game" is defined as a game of chance or a game that is partly a game of chance and partly a gaming requiring skill.

Online gambling Under the Remote Gambling Act, the definition of gambling is very broad and includes:. This involves the staking of money or money's worth on the outcome of a horse-race or sporting event or any other event, thing or matter gazetted by the Minister. This involves playing a game of chance for money or money's worth.

Participating in a lottery. This involves participating in any game, method, device, scheme or competition where money or money's worth is distributed or allotted in any manner depending upon or to be determined by chance or lot whether the same is held, drawn, exercised or managed inside or outside Singapore and includes any game, method, device, scheme or competition gazetted by the Minister.

Regulatory authorities. What are the regulatory or governmental bodies that are responsible for supervising gambling? The following regulatory authorities are responsible for supervising gambling:. The CRA administers and enforces the Casino Control Act and has the power to licence and regulate the operations of land-based casinos.

In addition, the Casino Crime Investigation Branch within the Criminal Investigation Department of the Singapore Police Force conducts both investigations into and enforcements relating to casino crime cases. They administer certain provisions of the Remote Gambling Act, such as those relating to payment blocking and site access blocking. They administer social safeguards to minimise problem gambling.

The NCPG also has the power to issue casino exclusion orders. The Singapore Totalisator Board. This oversees the operations of Singapore Turf Club and Singapore Pools Private Limited Singapore Pools , the two main gambling operators in Singapore conducting horse racing and other betting activities.

Gambling products. What gambling products have been specifically identified by legislation, and what different requirements have been established for each? Poker Poker is regulated under the Common Gaming Houses Act, which generally governs casino-style gaming and public lotteries. Under the Common Gaming Houses Act, it is an offence to:. Operate or be involved or invested in a common gaming house.

Operate or be involved in a public lottery. Be a customer of such places and activities. Any place kept or used for gaming to which the public or any class of the public has access.

Any place kept for habitual gaming whether the public or any class of the public has or may have access. Any place kept or used for the purpose of a public lottery whether the public has access or not. Exemptions under the Common Gaming Houses Act have been granted to the main gambling operators regarding public lotteries and sports betting that is, the Singapore Totalisator Board, the Singapore Turf Club and Singapore Pools.

Certain ad hoc exemptions have also been granted to various entities for specific gambling events hosted by or held in Singapore. Betting Generally, betting and wagering activities are regulated under the Betting Act. Under the Betting Act, it is an offence to:. Operate or be involved in a common betting house that is, any place kept or used for betting or wagering on any event or contingency of or relating to any horse-race or other sport event or betting information centre.

Publish information relating to any horse race or sporting event for the purpose of illegal betting. Exemptions are permitted under the Betting Act and have been granted to the main gambling operators in Singapore regarding public lotteries and sports betting that is, the Singapore Totalisator Board, the Singapore Turf Club and Singapore Pools. Sports betting Sports betting is also regulated under the Betting Act see above, Betting. Slot and other machine gaming Slot and other machine gaming are regulated under the Common Gaming Houses Act see above, Poker.

Lottery Public lotteries, which are lotteries to which the public has access, are governed by the Common Gaming Houses Act see above, Poker. Additionally, there are certain prescribed exemptions for:. Public lotteries conducted by businesses to promote products and services.

Lotteries promoted by certain charities or institutions of public charter. Public lotteries incidental to events such as trade fairs and dinners and dance. Certain types of gaming in private clubs for example, jackpot machines. Private lotteries, which are lotteries confined to members of a society established and conducted for purposes not connected, are governed by the Private Lotteries Act. Under the Private Lotteries Act, private lotteries are prohibited unless a permit is granted.

Online gambling All forms of remote gambling activity are prohibited under the Remote Gambling Act unless an exemption is granted including gambling remotely, facilitating others to do so, transmitting and receiving bets and providing remote gambling services. Both exempt operators are owned by the Singapore Totalisator Board, a Singapore statutory board. What is the licensing regime if any for land-based gambling?

Available licences Exemptions from the Betting Act to provide and operate gambling facilities can be obtained from the Minister of Home Affairs, subject to certain conditions, which are typically set out in the letters of approval that are issued to exempted entities.

Exemptions can be obtained to conduct events that require permission under the Common Gaming Houses Act, subject to certain conditions, including:. The methodology of the promotion, the details of the prizes to be distributed, their manner of distribution and where the winner are determined solely or partly by a draw, the time, date and place of the draw must be disclosed in printed publicity material, copies of which must be freely available to all participants.

The draw must only be conducted by the organisation's employees. The draw must be conducted in public of if conducted in private by means of a computerised system, be witnessed and audited by an independent public accountant. The draw must not involve the use of any game, method, device, scheme or competition that has previously been banned under the Common Gaming Houses Act. Private bodies such as a company, co-operative society, society, mutual benefit organisations and trade unions do not need to obtain a permit under the Common Gaming Houses Act if gaming is being conducted in any premises owned by the private body, subject to the conditions as may be imposed, including:.

No person other than a member may have access to or remain in any part of the premises in which any gaming is conducted, or conduct or participate in any gaming in the premises. The private body must not allow any of its members to conduct or participate in any game other than certain stipulated games.

No member below the age of 18 years can participate in any gaming conducted in the premises. Permits may be granted under the Private Lotteries Act to any person or society for the promotion of a private lottery and for the provision of fruit machines, subject to the conditions as may be imposed, including:. No profit will accrue to any individual person from the conduct of such lottery.

No commission either in money or money's worth, including by way of free tickets or chances, shall be payable in respect of the sales of tickets or chances. The permit may also impose conditions such as those relating to the:. Amount and number of prizes to be offered. Number of tickets or chances to be offered for sale in such lottery and the prices and denominations of such tickets or chances, the persons by whom.

Manner in which and the places at which, the tickets or chances may be sold or distributed and the persons or classes of persons to whom the tickets or chances may be sold or distributed. Time place and manner in which the winners of prizes will be determined. Opening and closing dates for the sale or distribution of tickets or chances. Conditions subject to which any ticket or chance may be offered for sale.

Costs, charges and expenses which may be deducted by the person promoting such lottery from the funds raised by the lottery. Percentage of the gross proceeds raised by the lottery that shall be applied to the object for which such lottery is promoted.

Manner in which the names of the winners of prizes may be advertised. Requirements in respect of machines and equipment to be used. The Minister has the power to exempt a social welfare society promoting a private lottery for purposes conducive to the welfare of the public or any class from the restrictions under the Private Lotteries Act.

Licences can be obtained under the Casino Control Act for the operation of a casino. The Casino Control Act expressly limited the number of casino licences to two for an initial period of ten years from the commencement of the Casino Control Act. The two licensed casino operators in Singapore are:. Marina Bay Sands Pte Limited. Eligibility There are no express eligibility criteria specified in the Betting Act and the Common Gaming Houses and the grant of an exemption from the prohibitions contained in these statutes will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

There is also no express eligibility criteria specified in the Private Lotteries Act and permits will be granted on a case-by-case basis. The CRA may issue a casino licence under the Casino Control Act if it is satisfied that the applicant, and each associate of the applicant, is a suitable person to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of casino. In particular, the CRA will consider the following:.

Whether the applicant and each of its associates is of good repute, having regard to character, honesty and integrity. Whether the applicant and each of its associates is of sound and stable financial background. Where the applicant is not a natural person, whether the applicant has or has arranged a satisfactory ownership, trust or corporate structure.

Whether the applicant has or is able to obtain financial resources that are adequate to ensure the financial viability of the proposed casino and the services of persons who have sufficient expertise in the management and operation of a casino. Whether the applicant has sufficient business ability to establish and maintain a successful casino. Whether the applicant and each of its associates has any business association with any person, body or association who or which, in the opinion of the CRA, is not of good repute having regard to character, honesty and integrity or has undesirable or unsatisfactory financial resources.

Whether each director, partner, trustee, executive officer and secretary and any other officer or person determined by the CRA to be associated or connected with the ownership, administration or management of the operations or business of the applicant is a suitable person to act in that capacity. Whether any person proposed to be engaged or appointed to manage or operate the casino is a suitable person to act in that capacity. Whether the applicant is a suitable person to develop, maintain and promote the integrated resort of which the casino is a part as a compelling tourist destination which meets prevailing market demand and industry standards and contributes to the tourism industry in Singapore.

Any other matter that may be prescribed. In determining the above matters, the CRA must have regard to the opinion of an evaluation panel, which consists of three or more persons appointed by the Minister. User penetration will be Video Games are defined as fee-based video games distributed over the internet.

Download games include downloads of full versions for gaming consoles or PCs installation required , mobile games for smartphones and tablet devices paid app downloads and in-app-purchases , paid or free-to-play online games which can be either played directly in the internet browser or via clients that need to be installed subscription-based or including in-game purchases as well as subscription-based gaming networks such as Xbox Live Gold, PlayStation Plus or Nintendo Switch Online.

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