Singaporean regulators have no plans to allow cryptocurrency use for gambling due to the risks of money laundering.

During a Sept. 10 parliamentary address, Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development, clarified Singapore’s regulatory stance on using cryptocurrencies in casino gambling. The minister’s remarks were made during the wrap-up speech for the Second Reading of the Casino Control (Amendment) Bill.

Introduced on July 4, 2024, the bill aims to future-proof the framework governing casino gambling activities in Singapore, while giving the Gambling Regulatory Authority the power to prescribe any wagering instrument as chips for casino gambling.

However, the minister has stressed that cryptocurrencies will not be part of this expanded scope. While the amendments to Singapore’s Casino Control Act were promoted as a step toward “future-proofing the regime” and establishing a framework for “cashless gambling,” the Minister of State firmly ruled out the use of cryptocurrencies citing money laundering concerns.

“GRA has no intention of allowing cryptocurrency to be used as chips for casino gambling as this presents money laundering risks.“ Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Singapore’s exclusion of cryptocurrencies from its casino operations aligns with a growing recognition of the risks they pose in the realm of money laundering.

According to a January 2024 report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, cryptocurrencies and casinos have increasingly become tools for laundering illicit funds, with criminal networks exploiting the anonymity and lack of regulation associated with digital currencies to obscure the origins of illicit funds, using online casinos as conduits.

“Organized crime groups have converged where they see vulnerabilities, and casinos and crypto have proven the point of least resistance.” Jeremy Douglas, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

A growing trend

Boycotting cryptocurrencies for gambling is part of a broader trend, as seen in Australia, where the government recently banned cryptocurrencies for online betting, including digital wallets and credit-linked cards, to help individuals maintain control over their gambling habits.

Similarly, Brazil has also banned the use of cryptocurrencies for gambling payments in April 2024, targeting digital assets like Bitcoin to enhance transparency and reduce the potential for money laundering.

Nevertheless, the global crypto gambling market tells a different story altogether. As previously reported by crypto.news, the crypto gambling market almost doubled to over $70 billion in the first half of 2024, with projections pointing toward a staggering $150 billion by 2030.

https://crypto.news

The Special Investigation Commission (SIC) is a multi-function financial intelligence unit (FIU) with judicial status. It is the center piece of Lebanon’s AML/CFT regime, a platform for international cooperation and plays a vital role in safeguarding concerned sectors from illicit proceeds.
The SIC’s tasks include receiving and analyzing suspicious transaction reports (STRs), conducting financial investigations, lifting banking secrecy, freezing accounts and/or transactions and forwarding them to concerned judicial authorities. 
With respect to terrorism and the financing of terrorism, the SIC is also empowered to prevent the use of movable or immovable assets. In addition to sharing ML/TF intelligence with counterparts and coordinating with foreign/local competent authorities on requests of assistance (ROAs), the SIC also proposes AML/CFT regulations and issues regulations and recommendations to concerned parties. 
AML/CFT supervision via risk based compliance examinations that cover banks and other reporting entities to ensure proper implementation of prevailing regulations is also among its tasks.

Law No. 44 criminalizes illicit proceeds that are derived from the following offences:

1. The growing, manufacturing, or illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and/or psychotropic substances according to the Lebanese laws. 
2. The participation in illegal associations with the intention of committing crimes and misdemeanors. 
3. Terrorism, according to the provisions of Lebanese laws. 
4. The financing of terrorism or terrorist acts and any other related activities (travel, organizing, training, recruiting…) or the financing of individuals or terrorist organizations, according to the provisions of Lebanese laws. 
5. Illicit arms trafficking. 
6. Kidnapping, using weapons or any other means. 
7. Insider trading, breach of confidentiality, hindering of auctions, and illegal speculation. 
8. Incitation to debauchery and offence against ethics and public decency by way of organized gangs. 
9. Corruption, including bribery, trading in influence, embezzlement, abuse of functions, abuse of power, and illicit enrichment. 
10. Theft, breach of trust, and embezzlement. 
11. Fraud, including fraudulent bankruptcy. 
12. The counterfeiting of public and private documents and instruments, including checks and credit cards of all types and the counterfeiting of money, stamps and stamped papers. 
13. Smuggling, according to the provisions of the Customs Law. 
14. The counterfeiting of goods and fraudulent trading in counterfeit goods. 
15. Air and maritime piracy. 
16. Trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. 
17. Sexual exploitation, including sexual exploitation of children. 
18. Environmental crimes. 
19. Extortion. 
20. Murder. 
21. Tax evasion, in accordance with the Lebanese laws

Money-laundering operations may occur in any business especially:  
· Banks  
· Other financial institutions (insurance, mutual funds, etc.)  
· Money exchange firms  
· Antique dealers  
· Real estate concerns  
· Jewelry dealers