Who we are

Overview of GRA

The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) regulates the gambling industry in Singapore. GRA is a statutory board under the Ministry of Home Affairs and was reconstituted from the Casino Regulatory Authority on 1 August 2022.  

Gambling in Singapore is prohibited, unless licensed or exempted. This pragmatic approach does not prohibit all forms of gambling but allows certain gambling activities to be conducted in a legal, controlled, and safe environment. GRA issues licences to gambling operators who offer higher-risk gambling services. These services include:

1. Casinos operated by Resorts World at Sentosa Pte. Ltd. and Marina Bay Sands Pte. Ltd.,
2. Lottery and betting services offered by Singapore Pools (Private) Limited,
3. Gaming machine rooms offered by community organisations, and
4. Gambling for social bonding and recreation conducted by community organisations.

GRA also administers a class licence regime for lower-risk gambling services, such as trade promotion games of chance and lotteries. Under a class licence regime, there is no need for a person or an entity to apply for a licence from GRA. Please refer to the Class Licences page for more information. 

GRA’s functions and powers are set out in the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, Casino Control Act and Gambling Control Act. GRA’s objectives are covered under the three main areas of:

• Law & Order - Ensuring that the management and operation of licensed gambling services are carried out by persons who are suitable, and remains free from criminal influence or exploitation.
• Honest Gambling - Ensuring that licensed operators conduct gambling in an honest manner.
• Harm minimisation - Ensuring that the potential of gambling services to cause harm to minors, vulnerable persons and the society at large is contained and controlled.

Our Regulatory Principles

In the discharge of our duties and functions, GRA officers are guided by a set of regulatory principles. These principles, which underpin our decisions and actions, support the achievement of our regulatory objectives of law and order, honest gambling and harm minimisation. They shape how we approach our work and engage the public and our stakeholders as we pursue regulatory excellence.

The principles outlined below provide a clear framework for our officers, foster open engagements with our stakeholders, and demonstrate our commitment to protect the people of Singapore from gambling harms.

In abiding by these principles, we ensure that our decisions and actions contribute to creating a safe Singapore.

1. GRA protects public interest in regulating gambling.
• GRA considers different perspectives from other government agencies, including law and order, social and economic factors, in ensuring that our decisions protect public interest.
• Where these perspectives conflict, GRA will regulate in a manner in which the public interest is served and the overall benefits are greater than the costs.
• In protecting public interest, GRA adopts a fair and impartial approach where decisions are made based on facts and the merits of each case.


2. GRA and our stakeholders have a shared responsibility for achieving regulatory objectives and positive outcomes for Singapore.
• GRA provides guidance and expectations to our regulated entities on policies and requirements. Regulated entities have the responsibility to comply fully with both the spirit and letter of all regulatory requirements to operate a gambling service in Singapore.
• GRA also works with the regulated entities to understand market conditions so that our requirements are effective and implementable.
• GRA partners other public agencies to share information and align policy intent, encouraging shared responsibility for better outcomes.


3. GRA’s policies and requirements are clear and consistent.
• GRA ensures that the intent and purpose of our policies and requirements are clear to prevent any misinterpretation.
• GRA applies our policies and requirements consistently to avoid confusion and disruption. Our decisions and positions do not change arbitrarily. However, this does not mean identical decisions in every case, as different situations carry different risks.


4. GRA adopts a risk-based approach, ensuring that our responses are proportionate to the risk posed to our regulatory objectives.
• GRA focuses our efforts on higher-risk areas as they have a greater impact on our regulatory objectives. In general, regulatory requirements are more prescriptive in higher-risk areas and more outcome-based in lower-risk areas.
• This risk-based approach also applies to the supervision of the regulated entities where we prioritise our limited resources for inspections based on risk assessment of gambling operations.
• GRA’s enforcement actions are proportionate to the seriousness of the breach and its impact on regulatory objectives. Serious breaches that significantly undermine our regulatory objectives will warrant stronger disciplinary action.
• GRA recognises regulated entities’ risk management and compliance efforts when deciding appropriate regulatory measures, encouraging continuous improvement in their compliance standards.

Our Logo

The Gambling Regulatory Authority logo is made up of the letters GRA. The interaction between the letter R and G, symbolises the interlinked relationship between the regulator and the gambling industry. The letter R overlaps at the top signifying GRA’s control and being on top of matters. The letter A resembles an arrow pointing upwards, representing GRA’s progress and foresight.

Our Mission

We protect the people of Singapore by keeping gambling honest and free of criminal influence, and minimising the harm from gambling.

Our Vision

A trusted and agile gambling regulator for a safe Singapore.

Our Values

• Integrity
• Care
• Professionalism
• Teamwork

Corporate Video

A Member of the Home Team

GRA is one of the eleven agencies under the Home Team. Each has a specific role and responsibility, but all share a common mission and vision. All Home Team Departments and agencies work together as One Home Team, and in partnership with the community, to keep Singapore safe and secure.