Is Poker Legal in Singapore? CRA Gambling Rules 2026

Singapore Citizens & PRs

S$150 / visit or S$3,000 / year

Every Singaporean citizen and Permanent Resident must pay S$150 per 24-hour entry period at either MBS or RWS. Alternatively, they can purchase an annual membership for S$3,000 that permits unlimited entry for 12 months. The levy is charged at the casino entrance.

Foreign Visitors

Free entry

Foreign nationals visiting Singapore (tourists, expats on work passes, and other non-residents) can enter either casino without paying an entry levy. A foreign passport or valid non-resident pass is shown at entry to confirm non-residency status.

Exclusion Orders

Compulsory for some

Certain individuals face compulsory exclusion from casinos: undischarged bankrupts, Public Assistance recipients, and individuals subject to means-tested social assistance. Family members can also apply for exclusion of a relative. Voluntary self-exclusion is available for any individual.

Casino Poker Winnings

Zero Tax — Tax Free

Casino winnings (including poker) are not classified as income under Singapore's Income Tax Act. No tax is payable by individuals on MBS or RWS poker winnings. Applies to both residents and tourists equally.

Casino Tax (Operator Level)

Paid by casinos

Singapore levies a Casino Tax on the Gross Gaming Revenue of MBS and RWS — approximately 15% for the mass market and 5% for premium/VIP players. This tax is paid by the casino operator, not individual players.

Online Gambling Winnings

Illegal / No framework

Since online gambling is illegal under the Remote Gambling Act 2014, there is no tax framework for online poker winnings. Offshore winnings are undeclared income with no legal status in Singapore.

Is online poker legal in Singapore?

No — online poker is illegal in Singapore under the Remote Gambling Act 2014 (RGA). The RGA bans all remote (online) gambling for Singapore residents, regardless of where the offshore operator is located. No online poker operator licenses are issued in Singapore. The Singapore government does not operate a licensed online poker platform. Singaporean residents who play on offshore online poker sites are technically in violation of the RGA, though enforcement against individual recreational players is rare. VPN use to access sites does not make the activity legal.

How does the casino entry levy work?

Singapore's casino entry levy is a unique social policy designed to deter problem gambling among locals. Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) must pay S$150 per 24-hour visit or S$3,000 for an annual membership to enter either Marina Bay Sands or Resorts World Sentosa. Foreign visitors (tourists and expats on work passes) can enter the casinos for free. The levy was introduced as part of the Casino Control Act 2006 framework — the Singapore government wanted to allow two Integrated Resorts to be built for tourism revenue while creating a financial barrier to discourage casual local gambling. The levy applies at both casinos simultaneously.

Are poker winnings taxed in Singapore?

No — Singapore has no gambling tax for individual players. Casino winnings, including poker winnings from Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, are not considered taxable income for individuals under Singapore law. This applies equally to Singaporean citizens, Permanent Residents, and foreign visitors. Singapore's tax system levies a Casino Tax on the casinos themselves (approximately 15% on Gross Gaming Revenue for mass market; 5% for premium players), but this tax is paid by the operators, not the players. Winnings are entirely tax-free for the player — one of the most favourable tax treatments for poker players globally.

Can tourists play poker in Singapore?

Yes — foreign tourists visiting Singapore can play poker at Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa completely free of charge. No entry levy applies to foreigners. Tourists must show a foreign passport to verify non-residency status. Both casinos have poker rooms with cash games running daily. MBS is the preferred destination for serious poker players, with 50+ tables, deep-stack games, and regular tournament series including APT events. Singapore's zero-tax policy on gambling winnings makes it an attractive destination for poker-focused visits.

What is the Remote Gambling Act?

The Remote Gambling Act 2014 (RGA) is Singapore's law banning all online gambling for Singapore residents. It prohibits Singaporeans from (1) participating in remote gambling, (2) facilitating others' remote gambling, and (3) advertising remote gambling services. The law applies to all remote gambling — sports betting, poker, casino games, and any other form of wagering conducted via the internet or electronic means. The RGA was introduced to combat the growth of illegal online gambling, particularly on offshore sites. Penalties include fines up to S$10,000 and up to 6 months' imprisonment for individual players who repeatedly violate the Act.

Where are the poker rooms in Singapore?

Singapore has two legal poker venues: Marina Bay Sands (MBS) at 10 Bayfront Avenue and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) on Sentosa Island. MBS is Singapore's premier poker destination with 50+ tables, 24/7 operation, and a well-regarded tournament schedule including Asia Pacific Poker Tour events. Cash games run from S$1/S$2 stakes through to high-stakes games. RWS offers a smaller poker room adjacent to Universal Studios Singapore; regular cash games and tournament series. Both venues enforce the S$150 entry levy for Singaporeans.

Is home game poker tolerated in Singapore?

Small-stakes private home games operate in a gray zone in Singapore. The Betting Act technically prohibits betting houses and rake operations, but low-stakes private social games among friends are generally tolerated and rarely enforced. The key distinctions: the game must be genuinely private (not open to the public), no rake or house cut can be charged, and stakes should be social rather than commercial in nature. Organized private clubs with recurring games, entry fees, or any rake are illegal and have been subject to police action in Singapore. The CRA's concern is primarily with commercial gambling operations, not occasional private social games.