For a country that is strict on laws and order and is the quintessential of the saying “war on crime”, Singapore has had a bumpy relationship with the gambling industry. Even so, recognising its economic and tourism impact, Singapore still allows gambling activity, only under tight and controlled regulation. As a result, to date, there are only two land-based casinos in Singapore: Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) casinos.
Casino Rules in Singapore
Before telling you all about the land-based casinos in Singapore, you must understand some of Singapore’s casino rules.
Back in 1968, only Singapore Pools were allowed to operate for locals to engage in legal sports betting and 4D lotteries. Finally, at the beginning of the 21st century, Singapore allowed the operation of MBS and RWS casinos as an effort to boost its tourism industry. However, all of them are under extremely tight regulation.
Entrance Levies
For one thing, to deter the Singaporeans from gambling, the government imposed a casino entrance levy. It was SGD $100 for a daily entrance and SGD $2000 for an annual pass. After the passing of the amendment to the Casino Control Act on 30 October 2024, the levies increased. As of now, the daily entrance is SGD $150, whereas the annual entrance is SGD $3000.
Exclusion Orders
While the individual himself/herself can apply to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) for self-exclusion (which can only be revoked after one year), there are other ways an individual might get banned from entering casinos, including Family Exclusion Order, Third-Party Exclusion and Exclusion by Law. To avoid any of these exclusion orders, you simply have to ensure that your gambling activity doesn’t imperil the health and financial status of your family members or yourself.
Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Casino
When Moshe Safdie was tasked to design the renowned three-hotel towers that would later come to be known as Marina Bay Sands (MBS), he also took part in designing the MBS integrated casino.
It spans four levels at the resort’s central atrium. While the exact numbers are hard to determine, there are around 600 live tables for table games and 2300 slots, which also include Electronic Table Games (ETG). As one might expect, the casino’s interior is as elegant and luxurious as the resort itself, with high ceilings, chandeliers, and stellar services.
Since it’s positioned as a premium casino within a premium resort, it only makes sense that it also has many VIP rooms and exclusive membership. Situated on the very top floor of the casino are the Paiza Rooms, reserved only for the members of the Paiza Club.
If it’s your first time, you should sign up for its Sands Rewards Club, which you can use to earn MBS points with gambling or non-gambling related expenses. With enough points, you might be entitled to numerous promotions or even free deals.
Games at MBS Casino
|
Games |
Types |
Min. Bet (Approx.) |
|
Baccarat |
No Comm., Power 98, 7 Up, Tiger, etc. |
SGD 25 – 200 |
|
Blackjack |
Standard, Lucky 8, Pontoon |
From SGD 25 |
|
Roulette |
Single/Double Zero, Sands Roulette |
SGD 10 – 25 |
|
Poker |
Pai Gow, Stud, 3-Card, Texas Hold’em Bonus |
From SGD 25+ |
|
Dice Games |
Sic Bo, Craps, Money Wheel, Three Pictures |
From SGD 25 |
|
Slots/ETGs |
Themed slots, progressives, and electronic tables |
From cents/line |
Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) Casino
By the name alone, you can already guess that Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) was built by one of the subsidiaries of the Genting Group conglomerate, Genting Singapore. A little later than MBS, its official initial launch was in the early 2010s, along with other major attractions at RWS, including Universal Studios Singapore, Marine Life Park, shopping areas and hotels. RWS integrated casino, as you can see, is only one part of the entire resort to help boost the tourism industry at the time.
The integrated casino is at the Crockfords Tower, which is also the most luxurious hotel among the four at RWS. There is an estimate of 500 tables and 2400 slot machines and ETGs. It has only 2 floors, which is slightly less spacious than the MBS casino. The ground floor is the common area with standard table games and slot machines, whereas the upper floor is for a more private gaming session, usually reserved for only the VIPs and the members of Maxims and Crockfords Clubs.
For average players, there is a Genting Rewards program that has different tiers, depending on the amount spent on gambling at the RWS casino.
Games at RWS Casino
|
Game |
Types |
Min. Bet (Approx.) |
|
Baccarat |
Commission & no-commission, electronic tables |
From SGD 10 |
|
Blackjack |
Standard, Pontoon, side-bet versions |
From SGD 25 |
|
Roulette |
Single/Double Zero, electronic formats |
From SGD 5 |
|
Dice Games |
Sic Bo, Tai Sai, Money Wheel |
From SGD 5–10 |
|
Poker |
Stud, Three Card, Texas Hold’em Bonus |
From SGD 10+ |
|
Slots/ETGs |
Video slots, progressives, electronic tables |
From cents per spin |
Practical Tips for Betting at Singapore Land-Based Casinos
Here are a few tips for you if you were to visit any of the Singapore land-based casinos for the first time.
Dress Code
First things first, your attire matters. You should wear:
- Collared shirts or decent-looking tops without revealing much skin
- Long or dress pants, proper-length skirts for ladies
- Covered shoes, such as sneakers, closed-toe heels, and formal shoes
At any occasion, please avoid the following:
- Revealing clothes, such as tank tops, beachwear, sleeveless t-shirts
- Casual short pants, such as sportswear or gym shorts
- Mini-skirts for ladies
- Flip-flops and slippers
- Articles that cover or partially hide the facial features, such as hats, sunglasses, and caps.
This might come as a surprise, but muslims, both local and foreign, are not banned from entering the casinos in Singapore. Hence, the female muslim headscarf, aka tudung, is allowed.
Identity Verification
To verify your identity, you will need to bring your identity documents whenever you visit land-based casinos in Singapore.
For Singaporeans, you will need the NRIC or SingPass Digital IC, though we recommend you bring the NRIC, as sometimes the Digital IC is not accepted. Also, you will need to bring proof of your levy payment.
For foreigners, you will need a valid passport.
Payment System
To play any table games at the casinos in Singapore, you will need chips. You can get them at the cashier. However, not all payment systems are accepted in exchange for the chips.
The safest option is cash. If you are a foreigner, make sure you have SGD currency with you before you visit the casinos. Some locals will choose to deposit the money into their casino account beforehand. While foreign debit cards (such as Visa and Mastercard) are allowed to buy chips at the cashier, cash is still more ideal, lest there be any hidden cost of currency exchange.
As for slots and ETGs, most allow direct cash deposit; some also accept the stored-value card. If you decide to cash out the winnings, you will need to press cash out and get the voucher ticket, which you can redeem at either the cashier or kiosk.
Land-based Casino Singapore vs Online Casino
While some prefer the intimate, luxurious experience of gambling at a land-based casino in Singapore, especially when both MBS and RWS casinos offer a stellar, premium betting experience, some prefer the convenience of online casinos.
|
Feature |
Land-Based Casino |
Online Casino |
|
Entry |
Free for tourists, levy for locals |
Free |
|
Safety |
Legal and controlled |
Licensed offshore |
|
Games |
Table games, slots, and ETGs |
More options, with the addition of different sportsbooks and fast games. |
|
Min Bets |
Higher, especially table games |
Lower, as the options are vast |
|
Bonuses |
Rare |
Frequent, e.g., welcome bonuses |
|
Payment Systems |
Limited, mostly cash and cheque (if big winnings) |
More options, such as crypto, ewallet, etc. |
FAQ
How many casinos are there in Singapore?
Two, the integrated casinos at Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa
How to revoke a casino self-exclusion in Singapore?
You can only revoke it after a minimum of 1 year by submitting your request on the NCPG website.
Can tourists enter Singapore casinos?
Yes, and it’s for free, provided you are 21 years old and above and have a valid passport.
How much does it cost to enter a Singapore casino?
It’s free for foreigners. However, the Singapore locals have to pay entrance levy fees, which are SGD $150 and SGD $3000 for daily and annual entrance, respectively.
Which casino is better in Singapore?
If focusing solely on the casino, it would be Marina Bay Sands casino, as it is more spacious, thus having more tables and slot machines.
What is the minimum bet in a Singapore casino?
Depends on the games. For most table games, however, the minimum bet is SGD $25.
Are drinks free in Singapore casinos?
Yes. Aside from self-service water dispensers, other beverages are free, like coffee and orange juice.
Which casinos in Singapore offer cashless gambling?
Both MBS and RWS casinos are now permitted to implement a cashless gambling, aka cashless wagering system (CWC). However, as of now, neither is fully cashless yet.
Does MBS Casino have a dress code?
Yes.
Can I wear jeans to a casino?
Yes, as long as they are proper, clean, neat, and not ripped.
