Singapore has implemented a second tranche of amendments to its casino laws, introducing new measures covering financial crimes, casino offences and vulnerable patrons.
Under the amendments, which took effect on 21 September, licensed casino operators in the city-state may directly share patron risk information to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and financing linked to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Prior to the new law, restrictions under personal data protection legislation meant casinos could not exchange information on high-risk patrons directly with one another. Risk records had to be relayed through the Authority as an intermediary, resulting in cumbersome procedures and slower risk response.
Under the new rules, the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) may issue written directions requiring licensed casinos to exchange patron risk information directly, supported by an electronic information-sharing system.
Casino operators are required to notify other licensees of a patron’s risk information when they file a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) concerning that patron, or decide to decline services to the individual. Existing contractual or confidentiality clauses between casinos do not override compliance with GRA’s information-sharing directions, and non-compliance attracts penalties.
Singapore currently has only two licensed casinos: Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. The new regime applies to both operators. GRA will conduct ongoing inspections to oversee implementation and monitor information exchange workflows, to safeguard against misuse of personal data.
