Singapore authorities said they will intensify enforcement efforts against illegal gambling activities during the FIFA World Cup 2026, amid expectations that the football tournament will drive heightened interest in betting.
In a Monday statement, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs said enforcement measures would be stepped up throughout the tournament period, running from June 11 to July 19.
The ministry noted that major international sporting events often generate increased interest in gambling, including illegal betting, which can create “law-and-order concerns” and expose individuals to “significant financial and social harm”.
Singapore maintains a tightly-controlled gambling market. Under the country’s Gambling Control Act, all gambling activities are prohibited unless specifically authorised, licensed or exempted. Singapore Pools (Private) Ltd is currently the sole operator licensed to provide lotteries, sports betting and remote gambling services in the city-state.
The Singapore Police Force said it would continue regular operations targeting illegal gambling syndicates and those assisting such activities.
Measures against illegal online gambling include directing online service providers to restrict access to unlawful gambling websites and advertisements under the city-state’s Online Criminal Harms Act.
Authorities are also working with industry stakeholders to terminate local telephone numbers used to advertise illegal gambling services and block bank-account and credit-card transactions linked to illegal betting platforms, per the statement.
The ministry highlighted that individuals conducting illegal gambling activities face penalties of up to SGD500,000 (US$388,470) in fines and imprisonment of up to seven years. Repeat offenders can face fines of up to SGD700,000 and jail terms of up to 10 years.
Individuals found gambling with illegal operators can be fined up to SGD10,000, jailed for up to six months, or both, according to the announcement.
Alongside enforcement efforts, Singapore will launch a series of responsible-gambling initiatives during the World Cup period.
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) will roll out a new public-awareness campaign that will be featured during televised football matches, across digital and social-media platforms, and in locations near betting outlets.
NCPG chairman Sim Gim Guan said in prepared remarks: “The World Cup 2026 is a key sporting event that attracts many sports enthusiasts. We want people to enjoy the games without falling into problem gambling.”
Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Malaysian authorities have also pledged heightened scrutiny of gambling-related content during the sporting event.
The country’s communications minister, Fahmi Fadzil, said the country’s authorities would intensify monitoring efforts and take action against parties promoting online gambling content and betting websites linked to the tournament.
Mr Fahmi said enforcement efforts would cover both mobile applications and gambling websites seeking to capitalise on World Cup interest.
