Frequently Asked Questions for Community Organisations Conducting Gambling for Social Bonding and Recreation ("CGS")

  1. What types of activities does the CGS Licence cover?

    All games of chance for members of a community organisation to play for a prize solely for the purpose of social bonding and recreation.

  2. Who is eligible for the CGS Licence?

    A community organisation that fulfils the following criteria:

    1. A club, co-operative society, mutual benefit organisation, trade union, or incorporated body other than a corporation that returns profits to its members, that in any case:
      1. is a religious organisation; or
      2. operates a business of a recreation club or similar business; or

    2. A society or other unincorporated organisation that has –
      • at least 10 members;
      • a management committee appointed or elected by the members of the society or organisation; and
      • a written constitution.

  3. What is a prize?

    “Prize”, in relation to any gambling, includes any money or money equivalent or any thing else of value that may be won under the arrangements for that gambling —

    1. whether or not described as a prize; and
    2. whether or not consisting wholly or partly of any money or money equivalent or any thing else of value paid or provided by the persons of the class among whom the prize is allocated.

  4. Who needs to apply a for CGS Licence?

    Eligible community organisations that wish to conduct or allow members to conduct on premises a game of chance for members to play for a prize solely for the purpose of social bonding and recreation will need to apply for a CGS Licence.

    Charities that wish to use their funds or premises, or both for gambling purposes should first check with the Charities Unit of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth or the relevant Sector Administrator prior to applying for a CGS Licence. Charities should thereafter provide GRA with evidence of the no-objection from the Charities Unit or the Sector Administrator (as the case may be). GRA will refuse any application where the Charities Unit or Sector Administrator has raised objections.


  5. What matters would GRA take into consideration when deciding whether to grant or renew a CGS Licence?

    The matters that GRA will take into consideration when deciding whether to grant or renew a CGS Licence are:

    1. whether the applicant is or is not carrying on or intending to provide any other gambling service;
    2. whether the applicant is or is not a holder of another licence issued by GRA or already a class licensee;
    3. the demand for the gambling service in the application;
    4. whether the applicant has or has not (or is likely or unlikely to have) the financial capacity and ability to provide the gambling service in the application in accordance with the provisions of the Gambling Control Act 2022 and according to the applicable standards;
    5. whether the applicant and its responsible executives1 are suitable persons to be involved in the provision of the gambling service in the application;
    6. whether the applicant has gambling service agents;
    7. whether it is contrary to the public interest or national security of Singapore for the applicant to be granted a CGS Licence; and
    8. any other matters and evidence as may be relevant.

    GRA may also take into consideration the following matters in determining whether a CGS Licence should be granted or renewed:

    1. whether the applicant’s written constitution or Memorandum and Articles of Association (“M&AA”) contains any prohibition against gambling2;
    2. whether the applicant has been in operation for at least three (3) years preceding the application for a CGS Licence;
    3. whether the applicant offers a wide range of social, recreational or religious facilities or activities such that the operation of social and recreational gambling would form only an ancillary part of the applicant’s facilities and activities;
    4. whether the applicant has installed a surveillance system at the proposed gambling venue(s) which satisfies regulatory requirements and standards.

     1“Responsible executive”, in relation to an applicant, means an officer thereof who is:

    1. in the case of a corporation, a director, chief executive, general manager or a person in a position analogous to any of those offices;
    2. in the case of a society or unincorporated association (other than a partnership), a president, secretary or treasurer or a person in a position analogous to that of a president, secretary or treasurer

    and includes any person carrying out the duties of any such office referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) if the office is vacant.

    2 GRA will refuse an application from a community organisation that has a prohibition against gambling in its written constitution or M&AA. The written constitution or M&AA should be amended prior to the application for a CGS Licence. Please refer to the FAQs on the Registry of Societies’ website (for societies) or the Guide on Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority's (“ACRA”) website (for businesses registered with ACRA) on the process to amend the Constitution or M&AA. Charities that wish to use their funds or premises, or both for gambling purposes should first check with the Charities Unit of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth or the relevant Sector Administrator prior to applying for a CGS Licence. Charities should thereafter provide GRA with evidence of the no-objection from the Charities Unit or the Sector Administrator (as the case may be). GRA will refuse any application where the Charities Unit or Sector Administrator has raised objections.

  6. Prior to 1 August 2022, my community organisation provided gambling services under the exemption provided by the Common Gaming Houses (Private Bodies – Exemption) Notification (N 4). Can my community organisation continue to provide such gambling services without a CGS Licence?

    A community organisation must not provide any gambling service to its members unless:

    1. the community organisation has obtained the necessary licence and approvals from GRA; or
    2. an application for a CGS Licence had been made on or prior to 31 July 2023 and where the licence application is still pending GRA’s assessment.

  7. My community organisation intends to apply for a CGS Licence. Are there any other approvals my community organisation must obtain in order to legally allow our members to play a game of chance for a prize on our premises solely for the purpose of social bonding and recreation?

    In addition to a CGS Licence, a community organisation must obtain the following approvals before allowing its members to participate in any game of chance for a prize on its premises solely for the purpose of social bonding and recreation:

    1. Game and Game Rules Approval; and
    2. Gambling Venue Approval.

    All applications for a CGS Licence must be accompanied by applications for the relevant approvals.

    The community organisation must ensure that it meets the requirements of the relevant government agencies (e.g. operation of the applicant’s primary business is in a location that is allowed for that purpose). Please refer to S/N 14 below for further details.

  8. How do I make an application?
    Where can I obtain the CGS Licence application form?

    Please contact GRA at Licensing@gra.gov.sg for more information.

  9. How long will the CGS Licence be valid for?

    A CGS Licence may be granted for a period of up to three (3) years.

    The CGS Licence remains in force for the period for which it is granted, as specified in the licence, except when it is suspended or revoked or cancelled.

  10. What are the fees involved?

    There are two (2) types of fees involved:
    1. application fees; and
    2. licence and approval fees.

      A. Application Fees
      The fees payable to GRA are:
      1. Application Fee for New CGS Licence – S$160
      2. Application Fee for Renewal of Existing CGS Licence – S$120
      3. Application Fee for Gambling Venue Approval – S$210

      B. Licence and approval fees
      The fees payable to GRA are:
      1. CGS Licence Fee – S$660 per year*
      2. Gambling Venue Approval Fee – S$660 per year*

      *The CGS Licence Fee and Gambling Venue Approval Fee payable will be pro-rated based on the validity period of the CGS Licence and Gambling Venue Approval.

      Community organisations will only be issued a CGS Licence and Gambling Venue Approval upon full payment of the fees payable for the entire validity period of the said licence and approval.

      To illustrate, a community organisation is granted a CGS Licence and Gambling Venue Approval tenure of two (2) years. The community organisation would only be issued the CGS Licence and Gambling Venue Approval upon full payment of the total fees payable for the two (2) year validity period of the CGS Licence and Gambling Venue Approval (i.e. S$2,640) calculated as follows:

      1. CGS Licence Fee – S$660 per year
      2. Gambling Venue Approval Fee – S$660 per year

      Total Fees Payable for two (2) year CGS Licence and Gambling Venue Approval Tenure       = (S$660 + S$660) x 2 = S$2640

  11. Can I apply for a refund or waiver of application, licence or approval fee(s) under any circumstances?

    No. All application, licence and approval fees paid to GRA are non-refundable.

    GRA will not waive application, licence or approval fees.

  12. What are some scenarios that may require a CGS Licence?

    Generally, if a community organisation conducts or allows its members to conduct on its premise a game of chance for members to play for a prize for the purpose of social bonding and recreation, a CGS Licence and the relevant approvals would be required.

    Scenarios that may require a CGS Licence

    The community organisation conducts or allows its members to conduct on its premise, a game of chance in accordance with the following arrangement:

    1. Players playing the game do not settle winnings or losses, or both using money but instead agree that the winner or loser will treat the rest of the players to a karaoke session.
    2. Players playing the game settle winnings or losses, or both using items of value (e.g. jewellery, watch etc.).
    3. Players playing the game settle winnings or losses, or both outside the gambling venue using convertible digital currency such as bitcoin.
    4. Players play the game on an ad-hoc basis (e.g. Chinese New Year). Winnings or losses, or both arising from the game are settled using money.

    If a community organisation conducts, or allows its members to conduct on its premise, a game of chance under scenarios (a)−(d), such activities may require a CGS Licence as the conduct of the game offers players the chance of winning:

    1. money (scenario (d));
    2. money equivalent (scenario (c)); and
    3. some thing of value (scenarios (a) and (b)).

    Scenarios (c) and (d) further illustrate that if a community organisation intends to conduct a game of chance for members to play for a prize, it must obtain the relevant licence and approvals to legally conduct such games regardless of:

    1. when and where winnings or losses, or both are settled (scenario (c)); and
    2. how often such games are conducted (scenario (d)).

    Scenarios that may not require a CGS Licence

    The community organisation conducts a game of chance in accordance with the following arrangement:

    1. Players play the game using gaming chips. However, winnings or losses, or both are not settled using money, money equivalent nor any thing else of value.
    2. Players who play the game agree that the winner or loser would clean up the gambling venue.
    3. Prior to participating in the game, players agree that a specific player, regardless of his winnings or losses, would buy a meal for the rest of the players.

    If a community organisation conducts a game of chance under scenario (e)−(g), such activities may not require a CGS Licence as the conduct of gambling does not offer players the chance of winning money, money equivalent or any thing else of value.

    Scenario (g) further illustrates that where players make an agreement and the performance of the agreement is not dependent on the outcome of the game of chance played, such an agreement is unlikely to be considered playing for a prize.

    Please note that the scenarios provided above are illustrative only and non-exhaustive, and do not constitute legal advice. Community organisations should refer to the relevant legislation and may wish to seek professional advice on their legal obligations.

  13. My community organisation intends to conduct a game of chance for members to play without offering any prize. Am I required to obtain a CGS Licence and the relevant approvals to legally carry out such activities?

    If the game of chance is not played for a prize, it is not considered gambling and a CGS Licence is not required to conduct such games. The community organisation must, however, take reasonable steps to ensure that all winnings or losses derived from the game are not settled using any money, money equivalent, or any thing else of value. For example, the community organisation may consider displaying notices within its premises informing members that the playing of games with money, money equivalent, or items of value is strictly not allowed.

    Community organisations may wish to seek professional advice on their legal obligations.

  14. What are the minimum requirements that the proposed gambling venue needs to meet before my community organisation can apply for venue approval?

    The proposed gambling venue should minimally meet the following requirements:

    1. The proposed gambling venue is an enclosed part within the premises of the community organisation. “Enclosed part” means any part of the premises that has a ceiling or roof and is, except for doors and passageways, completely enclosed by walls or windows.

    2. Persons who are outside the gambling venue should not be able to see gambling activities within the proposed gambling venue.

    3. The proposed gambling venue has a surveillance system that would meet the surveillance requirements set out in the Gambling Control (General) Regulations. Please refer to S/N 15 and 16 below for further details.

    4. Written permission under URA’s Planning Act 1998 for the proposed gambling venue should be obtained (if applicable) prior to the submission of the Gambling Venue Approval application.

    Applicants will be required to submit a floorplan of the proposed gambling venue and its immediate surrounding areas/rooms with the boundary and entrance/exit of the proposed gambling venue clearly marked out.

  15. My proposed gambling venue has an existing surveillance system but it does not meet the surveillance requirements set out in the Gambling Control (General) Regulations. Can I still submit the application for CGS Licence and Gambling Venue Approval? When do I need to upgrade the surveillance system?

    Yes, applicants may still submit applications for CGS Licence and Gambling Venue Approval even though the existing surveillance system in the proposed gambling venue does not meet GRA’s surveillance requirements. There is no need to upgrade the surveillance system at the proposed gambling venue prior to submitting the applications.

    The applicant can upgrade the surveillance system to meet GRA’s surveillance requirements after GRA has informed the applicant to do so. Time will be provided for the applicant to upgrade the surveillance system to meet the requirements.

  16. There is no existing surveillance system at the proposed gambling venue. Do I need to install a surveillance system before submitting the application for CGS Licence and Gambling Venue Approval?

    No, there is no need to install any surveillance system prior to submitting a CGS Licence and Gambling Venue Application to GRA.

    As part of the application process, applicants will be required to submit a declaration form to declare that it will install a surveillance system that meets the surveillance requirements at the proposed gambling venue.

    Applicants can install the surveillance system at the proposed gambling venue after GRA has informed the applicant to do so. Time will be provided for the applicant to install the surveillance system to meet the requirements.

  17. What are the forms of gambling that my community organisation can offer?

    GRA may grant approval for social and recreational gambling involving the following eight (8) games:

    1. Tau Ngau
    2. Mahjong
    3. Russian Poker
    4. Fishing or “Ang Tiam” or “Tiew Yue”
    5. Five Cards or “Tan”
    6. “Soo Sik” or “See Sek”
    7. “Chi Kee”
    8. “Dou Tai Chi”

  18. Can I hold a Mahjong competition or tournament for members within the premises of my community organisation? There will be no cash used during the Mahjong games, and chips will only be used to tabulate the scores. The winner(s) with the highest score(s) wins a trophy.

    All forms of Mahjong competitions or tournaments with prizes (including trophies) at community organisation premises (or anywhere else) are not allowed, even if the participation is restricted to members only.

    The CGS Licence is intended for gambling between members only, and the CGS licensee may only provide the approved gambling venue for gambling. Organising a Mahjong competition or tournament at the community organisation premises falls outside the scope of the CGS Licence and the CGS licensee is not allowed to do so.

  19. Can I organise a Mahjong interest group for my members to play Mahjong regularly for recreation, without any chips or tokens that represent monies and prizes?

    Playing Mahjong without prizes does not constitute gambling under the Gambling Control Act and is therefore not regulated by GRA.

    “Prize”, in relation to any gambling, includes any money or money equivalent or any thing else of value that may be won under the arrangements for that gambling —

    1. whether or not described as a prize; and
    2. whether or not consisting wholly or partly of any money or money equivalent or any thing else of value paid or provided by the persons of the class among whom the prize is allocated.

    For the avoidance of doubt, playing a game of Mahjong using gaming chips does not amount to gambling, as long as winnings and losses are not settled using money, money equivalent or any thing else of value.

    Please refer to S/N12 above for scenarios which may require a CGS Licence.