Singapore is standing by its decision to regulate online betting in the island nation despite criticisms that the government’s move is in conflict with the country’s Remote Gambling Act (RGA).

The Strait Times reported that Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin is drawing flak from the government’s decision to allow Singapore Pools and Turf Club to offer bets online, which critics claim to be sending “confusing and conflicting signals.”

Responding to his critics, Tan has pointed out that regulating online betting will better protect its citizens that are drawn to these sites. He conceded that illegal online betting cannot be completely eradicated and in fact “is there and it is growing.”

“You can close down sites, but new sites will be set up, sometimes faster than you can close them down,” Tan said, according to the news website. “It is a global market with a lot of money to be made, and the worst thing is that it is unregulated and there are no safety measures in place.”