Singapore to increase illegal gambling enforcement during World Cup

Singapore will step up enforcement against illegal gambling during the FIFA World Cup 2026, which runs from June 11 to July 19, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Family Development said on June 9.

Singapore Pools is the only licensed operator in Singapore for lotteries, sports betting and remote gambling. All other operators, online or offline, are illegal.

Police will continue enforcement operations against illegal gambling operators. Authorities may restrict access to illegal online gambling services and advertisements under the Online Criminal Harms Act.

Local phone numbers used to advertise illegal gambling are terminated, while bank accounts and credit card payments linked to illegal online gambling are blocked.

Illegal gambling operators can be fined up to $500,000 and jailed for up to seven years. Gamblers using illegal operators can be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to six months, or both.

“Unlike licensed operators, illegal operators do not provide responsible gambling safeguards, and may expose individuals and their families to significant financial and social harm,” said the statement.

The National Council on Problem Gambling will run a World Cup campaign titled “Every bet costs something.” Its video, featuring a young father who lost his possessions and family to excessive betting, will be shown during matches on television, on digital and social media platforms, and near betting outlets.

The National Crime Prevention Council will separately publicize the risks and penalties of illegal betting.

NCPG chairman Sim Gim Guan said the World Cup draws sports fans, but betting can cause serious harm when it gets out of control. He urged people to seek help early if they notice signs of problem gambling.

Ho Mi Nie, a counsellor at One Hope Centre, said the centre usually sees more clients after major events such as the World Cup, when gamblers have built up debts. She said football gambling can be addictive because some bettors believe their knowledge of the sport improves their chances.

“Many actually think that their bets are based on skill rather than luck. This perceived expertise drives them to increasing bets,” she said.

Thomas, not his real name, a former IT service business owner in his mid-30s, began betting on Premier League and World Cup matches during university. He moved to Singapore from Myanmar in 2020 and became a Singaporean. In 2023, he gambled at casinos almost daily and accumulated $500,000 in debt in about six months.

After joining a debt management program, he relapsed into online gambling and added another $200,000 in debt. He later closed his business, filed for bankruptcy and sought help from One Hope Centre. Thomas now works as a taxi driver and plans to watch the World Cup with his wife and two children. He advised others to avoid gambling and watch football as a sport.