Class Licences
The Gambling Control Act allows for certain types of lower-risk gambling services (such as lucky draws) to be offered by persons or entities under a class licence regime. Under a class licence regime, there is no need for a person or an entity to apply for a licence from GRA.
There is also no need to submit any notification or documents to GRA. Instead, the class-licensed operator can operate as long as all applicable requirements which are specified in the class licence order are met.
The types of class licences are listed below. Persons or entities who wish to offer the following gambling services must comply with the conditions in the relevant class licence order. Persons or entities who are unable to comply with the class licence order must not conduct the game of chance or lottery. A person or an entity who does so may be subject to regulatory actions or guilty of an offence under the Gambling Control Act.
You may wish to seek legal advice if you are uncertain whether your activity or service falls under any of the class licences below.
Cause-related Games of Chance and Lotteries
These include games of chance and lotteries organised by public establishments to promote eligible objects. For more details on the new class licence conditions which are effective on 2 August 2022, please refer to the Gambling Control (Trade and Other Promotional Games and Lotteries – Class Licence) Order 2022 on the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ website.
Frequently Asked Questions for Caused-related Games of Chance and Lotteries
Survey-related Games of Chance and Lotteries
These include games of chance and lotteries organised by educational institutions and businesses to encourage participation in research and survey projects. For more details on the new class licence conditions which are effective on 2 August 2022, please refer to the Gambling Control (Trade and Other Promotional Games and Lotteries – Class Licence) Order 2022 on the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ website.
Frequently Asked Questions for Survey-related Games of Chance and Lotteries
Fundraiser Lotteries
These lotteries are conducted to raise funds for charities, exempt charities and institutions of public character. For more details on the new class licence conditions which are effective on 2 August 2022, please refer to the Gambling Control (Fundraisers – Class Licence) Order 2022 on the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ website.
Frequently Asked Questions for Fundraiser Lotteries
Remote Games of Chance
These refer to remote games with chance-based elements where players can win prizes that are money, money equivalent and/or any thing of value. An example of a chance-based element is loot boxes that are available to players in an online game. For more details on the new class licence conditions which are effective on 15 August 2022, please refer to the Gambling Control (Remote Games of Chance - Class Licence) Order 2022 on the Attorney-General's Chambers' website.
Trade Promotion Games of Chance and Lotteries
These are conducted by businesses to promote the sale of their goods or services. Businesses are not allowed to collect any money from persons to take part in the games of chance and lotteries. For more details on the new class licence conditions which are effective on 1 February 2023, please refer to the Gambling Control (Trade and Other Promotional Games and Lotteries – Class Licence) Order 2022 on the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ website.
Frequently Asked Questions for Trade Promotion Games of Chance and Lotteries
Incidental Games of Chance and Lotteries
These are conducted as incidental activities to events like fairs, and dinner & dances. Participation in these incidental lotteries and games of chance must be free and limited to event participants. For more details on the new class licence conditions which are effective on 1 February 2023, please refer to the Gambling Control (Minor Gambling – Class Licence) Order 2022 on the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ website.
Frequently Asked Questions for Incidental Games of Chance and Lotteries
Mystery Boxes
These are sold to customers and contain unknown item(s). More details on the class licence conditions will be provided at a later date.