Singapore Immigration & Registration (SIR) has come across businesses, registered under the guise of societies, offering gaming activities. They set up multiple "clubhouses" that offer 24-hour gaming activities. With little control on their accessibility, these outlets promote a gambling culture and exert a negative social influence, especially on our youths. They also pose potential law and order problems as they may be used as meeting and recruitment grounds for street gangs and drug abuse.
2 We have advised all clubs registered under the Societies Act that under the Private Lotteries Act, it is an offence for clubs to operate a gaming machine without a permit. Gaming machines include those that dispense winnings based on chance, via credits or tokens that can be exchanged for cash or prizes. In addition, under the Public Entertainments and Meetings Act, clubs cannot allow non-members access to entertainment facilities on their premises without a Public Entertainment Licence.

3 Anyone who comes across illegal activities at clubhouses should notify the Police. The Police will not hesitate to prosecute any club or persons who contravene the Private Lotteries Act or any other law. The Registry of Societies will dissolve any club that contravenes the law or its own constitution.


4 For further queries, please call:
§ On queries relating to permits for gaming machines - the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore at 6351 3231 or 6351 3387;
§ On the registration of clubs - the Registry of Societies at 63916325 or visit SIR's website at http://www.sir.gov.sg.


END OF NEWS RELEASE

Singapore Immigration & Registration
18 Oct 2002