Singapore Studies Baccarat Side Bets to Analyze If There Is a Link to Criminal Activity

In its latest efforts to keep gambling free of illegal activity, the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), Singapore’s gambling watchdog, is now looking into the use of side bets on games such as baccarat to identify whether criminals are now using those alternative betting options to launder money.

Analyzing Gambling Data to Detect Criminal Activity

GRA is trying to better understand whether the existing regulatory framework is effectively combating illegal and criminal activity, as per the watchdog’s boss, Tan Hee Tow. The regulator is aware that legal casinos can be used to launder criminal proceeds, despite the strong AML and KYC safeguards in place. Sore losers have also made for a few anecdotal stories.

Understanding this is important, as there have been serious consequences of allowing criminals to gamble unhindered, as shown by the ongoing regulatory saga in Australia, where both the Star Entertainment Group and Crown Resorts have been buffeted by one regulatory action after another.

“Recent developments in Australia emphasize the need for operators to ensure safer gaming environments, and where operators have failed to do so, regulators have taken stronger action in response to such failures,” Tan commented on these ongoing proceedings.

Yet, the watchdog is already working on ways to “enhance its data analytics and visualization tools to better detect patterns, identify trends, and anticipate potential regulatory concerns,” as stated in the 2024/2025 Annual Report.

The regulator “engaged gambling operators to collect and analyze data on new bet types to better assess if strategies to divert illegal gambling to legal channels have been effective,” Tan explained, as the watchdog is looking to better understand potential criminal patterns, such as money laundering.

Problem Gambling a Priority for Singapore’s Watchdog

Yet, it’s not all down to pure data, as human analysts and casino staffers also need to do their bit for safeguards and analysis to work in the end. At the same time, gambling has been in slight decline, with visitations to Singapore’s two regulated casinos declining by 5%.

The Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa had fewer visitors locally, with the number sitting at 99,000 in 2023 and down to 94,000 in 2024. According to the regulator, gambling and gambling-related harm affected 1.1% of the population, a fairly small number.

However, the regulator is not letting problem gambling out of its sight either, with the GRA vowing to adopt and leverage AI-powered technology to enhance detection of regulatory anomalies and at-risk behavior, making for quicker interventions.