Singapore has extended restrictions on casino advertising to include promotional activities surrounding membership campaigns and loyalty club programs.
The rules, which previously applied only to advertisements, now require Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports before launching such promotional campaigns and any media-related activities and sponsorships associated with them.
Violations can result in fines in excess of US$78,000.
“The casinos are meant to be tourist products and should remain so,” said CDYS Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing. “We are prepared to strengthen social safeguards as and when necessary to ensure that there is no targeting of our domestic market.”
A ban on direct advertising to residents was imposed soon after the casinos opened in 2010 as part of a comprehensive regime which the government continues to modify to minimize gambling’s ill effects on the local population. It includes daily and annual entry fees and restrictions on credit. Gamblers also can be excluded on the request of family members. Lower-income residents, recipients of public welfare and individuals with a history of financial problems face additional restrictions.
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