Resorts World Sentosa Served Letter of Censure by Singapore’s Gambling Watchdog

Singapore’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) has issued a letter of censure to the operator of the Resorts World Sentosa casino resort, citing a lapse related to its internal controls.

GRA Issues Resorts World Sentosa a Letter of Censure

According to the regulator, Resorts World Sentosa did not put in place a required internal control that had been approved by the authority under the Casino Control (Internal Controls) Regulations 2013. Clarification has been sought on what specific internal control problem was referenced in the enforcement notice. However, the GRA has not announced any further details about the case.

Interestingly, the GRA, which has a new CEO as of last month, hasn’t undertaken many enforcement actions as of late. In fact, the letter of censure is the only enforcement action published by the regulator in the financial year 2026. The regulator’s website indicated that no gaming operators were subject to financial penalties or other disciplinary actions over the 12-month reporting period.

This actually represents a shift from Financial Year 2025, when the authority issued total penalties of SGD 275,000 (about $215,000) against three gambling operators in Singapore. One of the operators fined was Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd, the casino operator of Marina Bay Sands, which received a SGD 100,000 (approximately $78,000) penalty. Meanwhile, Singapore Pools, the city-state’s sole legal lottery and sports betting operator, was also fined SGD 100,000 ($78,000). 

This Isn’t Resorts World Sentosa’s First Penalty

However, Resorts World at Sentosa Pte Ltd likewise faced enforcement action during FY2025.

In the previous financial year, the operator of the casino was fined SGD 75,000 ($58,700) under Regulation 3 of the Casino Control (Advertising) Regulations 2010. The regulator stated that the operator did not conduct or offer casino promotions in line with approvals issued by the authority. That penalty was specifically related to advertising and promotional activities within the casino business. By contrast, the most recent censure relates to internal control requirements under Singapore’s casino regulatory framework.

Singapore enforces one of Asia’s most stringent regulatory frameworks for casino operations. Licensed operators must adhere to comprehensive requirements governing gaming procedures, anti–money laundering controls, responsible gambling obligations, and broader operational standards. 

The country’s casino industry is currently structured as a duopoly, comprising Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands. Both integrated resorts are key contributors to Singapore’s tourism industry and its broader gaming sector.

Singapore isn’t keeping a strict watch only over its casinos, but also over other sectors deemed to be a type of gambling. For example, recently, trading card packswill come under the country’s control as Singapore is drafting new rules regarding the collectibles, which have a degree of chance to them.