The FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico will kick off on June 11. Singapore authorities will strengthen enforcement during the tournament and urge the public not to place bets with illegal gambling syndicates.
According to a joint statement issued on the 9th by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Family Development, betting activity typically intensifies during major international tournaments such as the World Cup, and illegal gambling syndicates also become more active during these times. Unlike licensed and legal gambling operators, illegal gambling syndicates lack responsible gambling safeguards, which may result in serious financial and social harm to individuals and their families.
The authorities stress that enforcement will be stepped up during the tournament period, and that illegal and problem gambling activities will be strictly cracked down upon.
Those who organise or participate in illegal gambling activities, once convicted, can be fined up to SGD 500,000 (about MYR 1.575 million) and imprisoned for up to seven years; for repeat offenders, the fine can be as high as SGD 700,000 with imprisonment of up to ten years. Those who place bets with unlicensed gambling operators can be fined up to SGD 10,000, imprisoned for up to six months, or both.
The above penalties apply equally whether the illegal activities take place at physical locations or online.
●“Every Bet Has a Cost”
At the same time, the National Council on Problem Gambling has launched a campaign called “Every Bet Has a Cost”, using advertisements on TV, newspapers, digital, and social media platforms to remind the public of the dangers of excessive involvement in football betting.
The campaign video tells the story of a young father who loses all valuable things in his life—financial assets, home, family, friendships, and the trust of loved ones—due to gambling addiction. The video will be aired during televised football matches, on digital and social media platforms, and in spaces around betting outlets.