New online gambling laws to be implemented ahead of 2014 Soccer World Cup in Brazil

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http://www.digitalone.com.sg/news/article/28108

Taking aim at the increasing popularity of online gambling in tech-savvy Singapore, the Government is now looking at a host of measures to curb the problem.

It wants to block access to illegal gambling websites, prevent payments to operators and ban advertisements for online gambling.

The authorities are also considering whether to allow a limited form of legalised online gambling, so that gamblers do not end up resorting to illegal gambling and betting offline.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is aiming to implement the new laws by early next year - ahead of the football World Cup in Brazil - although it was said that the timing is not "motivated by any particular event".

Rather, the move is prompted by the rise of remote gambling - through the Internet and mobile apps - an industry that was worth US$35 billion (S$43.9 billion) worldwide last year.

The measures being considered are "not foolproof", but current gambling laws need updating as they were enacted before the Internet era, he added.

The Government will also strengthen public education, given the rise of social media games mimicking casino games that can desensitise youth to gambling.

The public can give its feedback on the proposals through the Reach website (https://www.reach.gov.sg/YourSay/EConsultationPaper/tabid/103/Default.aspx?ssFormAction=[[ssEConsult_PAPER]]&pid=[[134]]) from today.