The only legal lottery operator in Singapore, Singapore Pools is a state-owned company that was established in 1968. It has a portfolio that includes 4-D, Toto and Singapore Sweep, as well as sports betting.
Lottery games in Singapore are regulated by The Tote Board, which is the statutory body that oversees lotteries and sports betting. It also regulates horse races and horse-race betting.
Singapore has a reputation for being a safe and welcoming place to gamble, but it is important to be aware of scams that may target you. The most common scam is a purported lottery scheme run by religious figures.
The police say at least 55 people have lost over US$376,896 to the scam. The victims had been receiving unsolicited messages on WhatsApp and other social media platforms asking them to purchase tickets for a purported lottery.
This is a form of fraud that can result in jail sentences for those who participate in the scheme. It is also illegal to operate an unlicensed lottery.
Despite the government’s tightening of regulations, there has been an increase in the amount of money spent on lottery and sports bets. The Tote Board reported that S$9.2 billion was wagered on these bets in the last financial year, up 40 per cent from the previous year.
The majority of the total bets were placed on 4D, Toto and Singapore Sweep. These games are quite inexpensive to play, and players can also opt for extra privileges by spending more money on their bets. The average cost of a four-digit bet is $1, while a seven-digit bet costs $3, including GST.