REGISTERED CLUBS WITH JACKPOT AND GAMING ROOMS

REGISTERED CLUBS WITH JACKPOT AND GAMING ROOMS

1.

Mdm Cynthia Phua asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many registered clubs in Singapore have jackpots and gaming rooms in 2003 compared with 2002 and (b) what are the criteria used to grant them the licences.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: In 2002, there were 107 registered clubs licensed to operate a total of 1,881 fruit machines (jackpot machines). In 2003, the number of clubs remained unchanged, with a total of 1,891 fruit machines. Registered clubs do not require a licence to operate gaming rooms with arcade-type amusement machines and, as such, we do not have the statistics.

Permits are issued under the Private Lotteries Act for the use of fruit machines. Applications for a permit to operate fruit machines will be considered only from registered members' clubs, which are not primarily set up for gaming, wagering or conducting lotteries. In addition, the club must have operated for at least one year and have at least 500 voting members for the past one year. Clubs are also required to pay a deposit of $10,000 per fruit machine. No profits are allowed to accrue to any individual from the operation of the machines and in the event that the club is dissolved, money accruing from the fruit machines must be donated to a charitable organisation or a fund approved by the Commissioner of Estate Duties.

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