How to Play Online Poker in Singapore

How to Play Poker in Singapore?

The government decided in 2004 to allow the construction of two integrated casino resorts in the country, namely Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. The Casino Control Act was enacted in 2006 to legalise the operation of the aforementioned casinos in order to promote tourism and increase tax revenues. Despite this legalisation, certain restrictions were applied.

The Act stipulated that only these two casinos could operate, and only with the full complement of a “resort” to the Hotel & Casino. Another condition was that foreigners could enter the casino for free, but local players had to pay 100 SGD. The reason for this could be to exclude lower-income Singaporeans, despite the fact that the country has the third highest GDP/capita PPP at more than USD $82,000.

In Singapore, no taxes are levied on poker winnings. Only Resorts World Sentosa has a poker room with seven No-Limit Texas Hold’em tables. As previously stated, Singaporeans must pay an entry fee of $100 SGD unless they have an annual pass, which costs $2,000 SGD.

Top 8 Online Poker Sites in Singapore

1. 888 Poker – Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud cash games are the variants available at 888poker. Limits start at $0.01/$0.02 and go up to $500/$1,000. You can set up private poker tournaments with your friends, just like on the best sites, or play cash games. To add to the social aspect, 888poker created the first webcam poker tables.
   
2. PokerStars –  PokerStars has the reputation of being the toughest poker room in town. While this is true, there is also a strong sense of camaraderie, and the poker pros there believe in the advancement of the game. While many people believe that sharks love to eat minnows, the truth is that sharks want a challenge and to win against equally difficult competition. The thrill of the chase is at work.
   
3. BetOnline – Although the poker brand has been around since 1991, its online poker operation only began in 2011. That hasn’t been a bad thing, as the brand was able to capitalise on the issues surrounding Black Friday at the time and quickly climb the popularity ladder.
   
4. AW8 – Aw8sgd was founded in 2018, and in just four years, it has risen to the top of the list of Singapore online casinos. For all of its users, AW8 has managed to organise the best and most amazing gaming services. You can play any of the games by visiting the website.
   
5. IVIP9 – IVIP9 is one of the best online casinos on the market, with a large user base. Because of its exceptional and high-quality services, IVIP9 has become a user’s dream destination. The ivip9 sg has always incorporated new technology and innovation into its games, which has earned it a spot in the top ten of Singapore’s online casinos.
   
6. UEA8 – The uea8 casino was founded in 2018, and it has since made a name for itself. It has organised the best games, poker, bonuses, and payment methods for its customers. All of this is possible because of the high-quality services it offers. Users can play games in an extremely safe environment.
   
7. Jack998 – The Jack998 Singapore has a large following among South Asian users. This region’s residents enjoy visiting this platform and playing games. There are numerous positive reviews about Jack998 on the internet. Any interested player can register on this platform and begin playing games.

Is Online Poker Legal in Singapore?

The short version is that real-time poker is legal in Singapore, but the legality of online poker is debatable. Because most online betting sites are based outside of Singapore, playing on foreign sites is not illegal for Singaporeans.

Furthermore, no one has ever been charged with illegal gambling for engaging in online gambling while at home. The passage of the Casino Control Act in 2006, ostensibly to promote tourism and generate revenue, effectively permitted the operation of two major casinos in the country: Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.

Both of these establishments were granted ten-year licences to operate in Singapore. The establishment of these two casinos did little to increase the popularity of poker in Singapore. Although foreigners were free to play in the casino, Singaporeans had to pay a fee of 100 SGD.

Online gambling was outlawed in Singapore in 2014 as a result of the Remote Gambling Act. Offenses were punishable by an SGD5,000 fine and/or imprisonment for a maximum of six months for players, and an SGD20,000 to SGD500,000 fine and/or imprisonment for a maximum of seven years for contractors caught accommodating Singaporean players.

In 2016, the government permitted the operation of two online casinos company catering to the local market. Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club were the names of these facilities.

Playing poker at home is legal as long as no money is exchanged. Players who are caught playing money games will be fined SGD1000. Those who host such events will face an SGD20,000 fine or two months in jail.

Online Poker Laws in Singapore

Social gambling, such as playing mahjong and poker at home with family and friends, will be legal in Singapore beginning Monday, August 1, 2022. Other changes made by the new Gambling Control Act will make gambling under the age of 21 illegal, except at Singapore Pool’s outlets where the minimum legal age is 18.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the new rules and a new regulatory authority to oversee the gambling landscape will go into effect on Monday 1st August 2022. The amendments come after the laws were passed in Parliament in March, following a debate in which MPs expressed concern about newer forms of gambling enabled by digital technology.

However, online gambling is illegal in Singapore. The government passed the Remote Gambling Act in 2016, with the goal of improving the gambling environment. Since 2011, Singapore has been working on reform, with lawmakers updating definitions and penalties for illegal online gambling. The penalties for repeat offenders have increased in comparison to previous years. Gambling is still illegal in Singapore, despite the new laws.

Penalties in Singapore for illegal online gambling vary depending on the type of illegal remote gaming. Violations can result in up to five years in prison and fines of $20,000 or more. It is also illegal to provide remote gambling services. Infringers of this Act face fines of up to $200,000 and up to five years in prison. Furthermore, operators may be prohibited from employing individuals under the age of 21 in remote gambling services.

How to find the Best Poker Sites in Singapore?

1. Accepts Singapore dollar

Having a variety of payment options is important because it allows players to easily deposit and withdraw funds. Based on the testimonials available, the top choice is the sites that accept Singapore Dollar (SGD) and allow local options or e-wallets such as Neteller, Skrill, and local bank transfers to ensure that withdrawals are not delayed.

       2. Great Deposit Bonuses

Because online poker has become competitive, there is nothing more enjoyable than playing to win a bonus after logging into a poker site. One of the criteria for determining an authentic online poker site is the bonus. It can differ from one site to the next. However, with the help of the bonus, you can get more rewards and interesting incentives from the site.

      3. Offers Multiple Poker Variants

The main reason you’ll want to visit a poker club is to participate in these games. And it doesn’t matter if you want to play for fun or for real money. The plan is to register with a website that provides a variety of poker games. Before joining any site, consider the number of available options.

      4. Trusted and Licensed Sites

With safety at the forefront, we prioritise online casinos that have established a solid reputation over the years. We determined this by reviewing previous testimonials from other gamblers, which indicates that the site is more likely to be legitimate and secure. The best poker sites are also licenced and regulated by governing bodies such as the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

FAQs About Singapore Poker

1. Can you get in trouble for playing online poker?
   • Nobody has ever been arrested, let alone convicted, for simply playing online poker. If you are arrested, it will not be by federal agents. There is no federal law that makes online betting illegal.
     
2. Is Online Poker Better Than Live Poker?
   • You can have a higher win rate in live games while earning more money per hour online. Even though live games are much smoother, playing live does not guarantee that you will win more money than playing online.
     
3. Where Can I Play Live Poker in Singapore?
   • Only Resorts World Sentosa has a poker room with seven No-Limit Texas Hold’em tables. As previously stated, Singaporeans must pay an SGD100 entry fee unless they have an annual pass, which costs SGD2000.