Nearly a decade ago, the government of Singapore cracked down on gambling, and it’s been tricky to navigate the waters. Onsite casinos can run, but only if they have a government license. Likewise, online casinos have been prohibited in Singapore since the introduction of the Remote Gambling Act in 2014.
Despite the restrictions, punters in Singapore can sign up with offshore casinos and enjoy all they have to offer. These casinos operate outside Singaporean jurisdiction and the prohibitive gambling laws. Read on to learn when online gambling is legal in Singapore and how to use offshore casinos.
When Is Online Gambling Legal in Singapore?
An exempt operator can organize and run online gambling in Singapore. The Singapore Turf Club and Singapore Pools are the current exempt operators, with exemption certificates under the 2014 RGA. Defaulters can get arrested and pay a fine of $5000 or spend six months behind bars.
How to Use Offshore Casinos
International operators host their offshore casinos in jurisdictions that are favourable towards gambling. They recognize that users come from many nations in the world, and their setup reflects this – language, games, payment method. Signing up with an offshore casino is an ideal loophole for players in a country or territory that restricts or prohibits gambling.
While you must be aged 21 and above to gamble online in Singapore, many offshore casinos accept gamers aged 18 and above. Once your age is appropriate to access these online casinos Singapore, you can sign up and get playing with these processes:
Download a VPN
Proxy servers are a sure method of bypassing restrictions and establishing an alternative location. A VPN will hide your location, which is necessary if you are in Singapore. There are many VPNs available online, both free and paid options. Once you’ve downloaded one, select your preferred location and head to the online casino site.
Open the Casino Site
Many offshore casinos accept players from Singapore, and you should select one that satisfies your requirements. Once you’ve chosen, open the site, and familiarise yourself with the layout.
Peruse the games and promotions available and spy the customer support option. If it meets your approval again, proceed with registering your account.
Register
You’ll find a “Register” or “Join Now” button/prompt, usually in the page’s top-right hand corner. Enter your personal details on the registration form, including your full name, email address, date of birth, and other pertinent information. If you’re a new player, you’d also have to create a username and set a secure password.
Next, accept the casino’s terms and conditions, then verify your new account through a link sent to your email. You can now enjoy the available bonuses and promotions.
Deposit Funds
The bonus cash only lasts for so long, so you have to deposit funds in your account. First, log into your account and open the cashier page to see the options. Click on “deposit,” choose your preferred payment means, input the amount, and confirm your cryptocurrency, card, or e-wallet details. Excellent online casinos process this pretty quickly.
Hit the Games
You can start playing the games on the site and be sure to take advantage of the free games online casinos offer. There are often hundreds of games to choose from, so have a great time in paradise.
Features of a Good Offshore Online Casino
Hundreds of casinos may accept Singapore players, but not all of them are credible or good. However, you can quickly identify a good, credible offshore casino by looking for these:
Licensing: Any offshore casino that caters to Singapore players should have a credible gambling license. Of course, the certificate won’t be from Singapore, but countries like Malta or Gibraltar provide top-notch licenses. Check the bottom of the online casino site for their certificate, and if it’s a clone site claiming to have a license, confirm its validity.
Security: All online dealings should happen in secure environments, especially online gambling that sees a lot of money change hands. Sensitive information about you, including your financial details, often comes up when you gamble online.
You want to ensure that the site can guarantee the safety of your details. Therefore, you should only use sites with stringent privacy policies and encryption technology like SSL (with HTTPS in their URL).
Reputation: It’s best to gamble on offshore casino sites that have excellent reputations worldwide. Look for well-known brands that have been around for a while, for example, official sponsors of sporting competitions or football teams. If they can hold their own in such big waters, you can trust them with your personal details and money.
Games: It’ll be fruitless to find an online casino that accepts Singapore players if you are limited to 10 games. The best offshore casinos have a rich game library, sporting a variety of games, including slots. If you enjoy live casino games (very popular in Singapore), find a casino site that has enough blackjack and baccarat tables.
Payment methods: Moving money to and from your offshore casino account can be challenging because of the gambling restrictions in Singapore. Since bank accounts and credit or debit cards are almost off the table, payment alternatives are your saving grace. A good site will accept cryptocurrencies and e-wallets to facilitate easy transactions while keeping you anonymous.
Tips for Gambling on Offshore Casinos
- Only register with legitimate and credible online casinos for your security and peace of mind.
- Grab bonuses with fair terms and conditions or investments that match the potential rewards.
- Consider the house edge, fully understanding it before placing your bets.
- Gamble with disposable income and stick to your budget – weekly or monthly. You can also set a deposit limit on your online casino account if the site permits.
- Never chase your losses and take a break when necessary.
Conclusion
Signing up with a credible offshore casino is one thing, but always pay attention to your safety. Be aware of the risks you’re taking and the hurdles you may face, like currency limitations. Otherwise, the world of online casinos is your oyster, so win some money as you entertain yourself.