Marina Bay Sands Fined over Casino Promotions
Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has been fined SGD100,000 (US$77,300) by Singapore's Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA). The penalty was imposed for failing to secure prior approval from the regulator before conducting casino-related promotional activities. The GRA's announcement pertains to the financial year 2025 and marks a significant regulatory action against the operator within Singapore's tightly controlled gaming environment.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The financial penalty was issued to MBS under Regulation 3(1)(c) of the Casino Control (Advertising) Regulations 2010. The cited violation involved the failure to obtain the necessary consent from the authority to carry out, offer, or arrange for the offering of promotional casino campaigns. While the GRA did not disclose the specific nature or details of the promotion in question, the agency made it clear that all casino-related marketing initiatives must receive prior approval to comply with existing legislation.
Related: LVS Expects More Delays at Marina Bay Sands ExpansionMBS is owned by Las Vegas Sands Corp, which also operates casino resorts in Macau through its subsidiary Sands China Ltd. The Singapore casino is a key asset within the group's global portfolio and is one of only two integrated resorts licensed to operate casino gambling in the city-state. The other licensee is Resorts World Sentosa, operated by Resorts World at Sentosa Pte Ltd.
According to public records available on the GRA's website, this is the first time MBS has faced a financial penalty from Singapore's gambling authority since the financial year 2019. Over the past several years, the regulator has maintained a strong compliance stance, requiring casino operators to follow strict rules governing advertising, customer due diligence, and responsible gambling practices.
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Fine Comes Light Compared to Resorts World
In contrast to MBS's relatively clean regulatory record over recent years, its market competitor Resorts World Sentosa has been subject to multiple regulatory fines. Between financial years 2020 and 2023, Resorts World at Sentosa was penalized seven times, resulting in a cumulative financial cost of SGD2,695,000 (US$2.07 million).
The most substantial of these was a single fine of SGD2,250,000 (US$1.7 million) in fiscal year 2023. This was imposed for failing to carry out required customer due diligence measures as stipulated under Singaporean gaming regulations.
Singapore's regulatory framework for its casino industry is among the most stringent in the world. Both operators in the country are subject to a detailed set of compliance requirements overseen by the GRA, which was established to monitor the social and legal responsibilities of licensed casino operators. The agency regularly reviews promotional campaigns, advertising content, and operational practices to ensure they align with national laws and the public interest.
The recent fine against MBS highlights the GRA's continued emphasis on regulatory oversight, particularly in areas involving marketing and promotional activity. It also reinforces the authority's role in maintaining the integrity of Singapore's casino sector through active supervision and enforcement.
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