Singapore to Regulate Blind Box Card Sales

Trading card packs currently sold in Singapore are set to come under new rules, as the government is moving to address gambling-related risks linked to so-called blind boxes.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed the plans to The Straits Times on February 26, saying regulations are now being drafted. More details will be announced once they are finalized.

Too Similar to Gambling

Blind boxes are sealed packages where buyers do not know what they are getting until after purchase. They are commonly used for collectible toys, figurines, and trading cards. 

The appeal lies in the element of surprise, and the concern is that the same mechanic can start to look and feel like gambling, especially when rare items are involved.

The spokesman said the expected timeline for implementation will also be shared in due course.

The update follows earlier comments by Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam on February 12, when he said blind boxes would be regulated. He explained that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Gambling Regulatory Authority decided to act after studying the issue.

The Need for More Clarity

Under the upcoming framework, the regulations will set out the conditions under which blind boxes, including trading card packs, can be offered for sale in Singapore. 

While the specifics are not yet public, the move signals that authorities want clearer guardrails around products that rely on chance-based rewards.

Mr Shanmugam was responding to a parliamentary question from Hougang MP Dennis Tan. Mr Tan had asked whether the Government planned to introduce mandatory and standardised disclosure of odds and probability ranges for blind box, or gacha products. 

These probability disclosures are common in some digital games overseas, where players can see the chances of obtaining specific virtual items.

The broader debate centres on where to draw the line between collecting and gambling, with special emphasis on warnings issued by social services regarding the potential risks tied to children and youths, for which the thrill of uncertainty can rapidly turn into compulsive behaviour, triggering problem gambling, anxiety, and depression.

For the time being, businesses that sell these products will need to wait for the final details, while consumers, particularly parents, will likely be watching closely too. 

One thing is for certain: the government sees potential risks in blind box sales, and the step will decide exactly how those risks will be managed hands-on.