Online poker is illegal in Singapore under the Gambling Control Act, which prohibits all online gambling unless licensed or exempted (1). Singapore Pools is the only gambling service provider licensed to offer legal online gambling services, and it does not include poker in its offerings (2). The government actively blocks illegal online gambling websites, advertisements for these sites, and payment services linked to illegal online gambling (2).
Live poker is legal only at the two Integrated Resorts, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, which operate under casino licenses granted by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (1). The GRA, a statutory board under the Ministry of Home Affairs formed on August 1, 2022, regulates all gambling activities in Singapore with the mission to keep gambling honest and free from criminal influence (1). Singaporean citizens and permanent residents must pay an entry levy of SGD 100 for daily entry or SGD 2,000 for an annual pass to access casino premises.
"The general approach taken by the Singapore government is that gambling is prohibited unless licensed or exempted, whether it is conducted physically or online."
Social poker at home with family and friends is legal provided it meets strict conditions, including being conducted in-person at an individual's home and being non-commercial in nature (2). Players participating in social gambling must know each other personally, and no participant should receive payment or commission beyond winnings from the game (2). Violating online gambling laws can result in fines up to SGD 5,000 and imprisonment for up to six months, while operators face penalties between SGD 20,000 and SGD 500,000 with imprisonment up to seven years.
Source:
https://www.mha.gov.sg/what-we-do/regulating-casino-and-gambling-industry
https://singaporelegaladvice.com/law-articles/gambling-legally-home-public-online-singapore/
Last updated: 10-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
