Consumers
Singapore imposes S$100 prize cap at amusement centers and fun fairs from 1 March
Singapore restricts prizes at amusement centres & fun fairs to S$100 from 1 March, aiming to curb gambling-like behaviour, says MHA.
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of Singapore has announced that the value of prizes obtainable through games at amusement centres and fun fairs will be restricted to a maximum of S$100 (approximately US$74)beginning 1 March.
According to a statement posted on the Singapore Police Force (SPF) website, MHA expressed concerns regarding the increasing prevalence of chance-based games offering high-value rewards, such as smartphones and gaming consoles, which could potentially lead to gambling-like behaviour among participants.
“These two components effectively bring the operation of amusement centres and fun fairs closer to gambling,” stated MHA.
The imposition of a prize value cap aims to mitigate the risk of “gambling inducement,” particularly among the youth demographic, the ministry added.
Apart from the S$100 limit, two additional rules will be enforced simultaneously on 1 March.
Amusement centres and fun fair operators are barred from providing cash, cash equivalents, credit, merchant vouchers, or coupons as prizes.
Additionally, returning prizes to operators for resale will be forbidden.
In line with international practices, several overseas jurisdictions have already implemented similar restrictions.
For instance, the British Gambling Commission has imposed a limit of £50 (approximately US$63) on the value of prizes offered in claw machines.
The ministry noted that operators were notified of these restrictions as early as 6 February 2023, providing them with sufficient time to manage their existing inventory of high-value prizes.
To ensure widespread awareness, an advisory was issued to operators on 31 January, urging them to inform customers about the impending restrictions.
Failure to comply with these regulations from 1 March could result in penalties. Operators may face fines of up to S$20,000, suspension, or revocation of their Public Entertainment License.
Moreover, they could be prosecuted for unlawful gambling, facing a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to S$500,000.
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Cap? Thy should impose a cap on ministerial salaries. Leave these small business alone and take care of the elephant in the room.
Previously they creamed off the highest rental tender, reportedly claimed that’s what the market decided.
Now they control the prize value limit.
One tend to distrust all these bastards.
100 dollars? they’re all overpriced shit that’s not worth half of that. unless they mean those machines that drop Nintendo Switch and Tablet PCs… than some Timezone machines will need to sell off their more expensive stock.