Clubs with slot machines face stricter rules in Singapore

Social clubs in Singapore will have to go through the proverbial eye of a needle before they can operate slot machines in their premises.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that it will roll out “stringent” measures about the availability and use of slot machines over the next two years.

Under the new measures, clubs will need to prove that they offer a “suitably wide range of substantive recreational and social facilities” aside from the slot machines, whose quota will be reduced. The clubs will also have to pass a new test regarding the scope of their non-gaming amenities, and those who don’t pass will have to stop operating the machines by April 30, 2018.

Access to the machines will also be stricter starting November, with the minimum age raised from 18 to 21. Entry will also be limited to club members who have signed up for at least a year, and they are not allowed bring guests into the rooms where the machines are. The rooms can only operate from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., the ministry said.