Best Betting Sites in Singapore

Sports Betting Regulation in Singapore

Gambling was only allowed through Singapore Pools. It operated lotteries while Singapore Turf Club ran horse racing. It remained that way until 2005, when the Singapore government decided to develop two casinos from high-class hotels in Sentosa and Marina South. Before that, players would gamble on cruise ships in international waters under the watchful eye of the government. They were mostly confined to high rollers, as the high entry fee (S$100) prevented others from entering.

Facing competition from Bangkok and Hong Kong, the government started this project as a way to boost Singapore's tourism and economy. In 2008, it formed the CRA which regulates gambling of casinos in Singapore. It was reconstituted by the GRA in 2022, which now oversees all gambling activities in Singapore, including online betting. Betting on sports online is generally prohibited except for a few licensed sites. However, Singapore bettors are free to join offshore sports betting sites and put their money on their favorite sports.

The main local operator in Lion City is Singapore Pools. Online sports betting through it was legalized in 2016, while banning unlicensed operators from offering their services on the market. Thanks to international online bookmakers, sports betting is a very popular pastime in Singapore. The best sports betting sites offer all kinds of bonuses and promotions and betting on major events such as the English Premier League. Singaporean punters can choose from hundreds of sports betting markets thanks to the remote gambling act, and bet on a wide range of sports that include football, horse racing, tennis, F1, UFC, and more.

Key Facts & Stats About Betting in Singapore

Online sports betting sites in Singapore are growing more popular year after year. Each betting site contributes to the global online gambling revenue in the South Asian country, offering online soccer betting, online horse racing betting, and an emerging Esports betting market which draws in the biggest crowd. Here are some key facts about betting in Singapore that perfectly reflect the online sports betting market.

• Annual Growth Rate: The online gambling industry in Singapore generated around $6.6 billion of revenue in 2020. The expected annual growth rate until 2025 is 5.5%.

• Industry Growth: In general, the annual growth rate for online sports betting websites in Singapore shall remain around the 5.5% annual mark.

• Monthly Spending: Around 90% of the betting population in Singapore spends around $75 each month on online betting. The average bettor visits sports betting sites a few times per week.

• Purpose of Betting: The largest number of Singaporean bettors bet for entertainment as opposed to making money.

• Popular Sports: The most popular sports markets at top Singapore online betting sites include football, basketball, tennis, and Esports.

• Demographics: Only bettors over the age of 21 are legally allowed to deposit at a Singapore betting site. Nearly half of Singapore's population under 55 years of age has bet at least once in the past year (predominantly males).

Free Bets & Betting Offers in Singapore

When you join a betting site online in Singapore, you'll be nicely rewarded for it. Most welcome bonuses at Singapore online betting sites are free bets. Nevertheless, it can also be a first deposit bonus that doubles your initial money to bet with. Of course, that's up to the sports betting websites, but whatever the bonus, you'll surely have fun with it.

When claiming betting offers online, it's crucial to read the terms and conditions. The fine print is admittedly boring to read, but it's necessary. All the rules are written in there so you know what you need to do before you're able to withdraw. Each betting site in Singapore sets the bonus T&Cs on its own. The wagering, bonus bet, and winning caps differ at the best Singapore betting sites. That's why it's important to read the welcome bonus terms or the terms of any free bet you might want to claim.

Even though it's called a 'free' bet, there's no such thing as free money at betting sites Singapore. The terms will make this clear for you. As for the bonuses themselves, you can expect a free bet worth up to S$10 or S$20, a 100% first deposit match bonus, or a combination of a welcome package that you can spend on sports betting options and in the casino too, if the betting platform has it. Check out the following bookies with free bets and choose one that suits you best.

Popular Payment Methods for Singaporean Betting Sites

Singapore bettors can use a wide range of payment methods to make deposits and withdrawals. We can honestly say that it's best to choose an option that goes both ways. Punters are free to decide on which payment method they want to use, so you can also go for a specific option for deposits and another one for withdrawals. We'll present the top options you'll find at almost any betting site in Singapore.

Credit and Debit Cards

Credit and debit cards are popular options for online sports betting all around the world. It's no different in Singapore. Visa and Mastercard are the most common payment methods on offer, and are accepted by the top sports betting sites. You can use each one for deposits and withdrawals. Unlike e-wallets, they can also be used to get a welcome bonus. The best part is that they're often connected straight to your bank account, and accept Singapore dollars. Credit and debit cards feature the security of bank transfers with the convenience of online shopping payments, pairing them with the ultimate tool for bettors.

E-wallets

E-wallets are a great alternative to cards and bank transfers. They don't necessarily need to be connected to your bank account. You can fund them in many ways including other e-wallets and cards. They're also accepted at the best sports betting sites in Singapore, and pretty easy to use. More importantly, you won't be sharing any personal or financial details with options such as Skrill or Neteller, and withdrawing money with them is fast and easy. The only problem is that some e-wallets don't qualify for welcome bonuses. Keep that in mind if you decide to use them.

Prepaid Vouchers

Prepaid vouchers such as Neosurf and Paysafecard are becoming increasingly common. They can only be used for deposits. The good news is that each sports betting site online in Singapore has a withdrawal alternative, so it's not that big of a deal. Outside of cryptocurrencies, prepaid vouchers are the only fully anonymous payment method. You can buy a card online or in stores and enter the PIN number to redeem the funds. It needs absolutely no personal or bank account details, not a username or password. The downside is that the amount you can buy is limited, but that can be solved by simply buying more cards.

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies have become a big hit among bettors in Singapore lately. That's because of their decentralized nature, the speed of transactions, and the fact they're 100% anonymous. Cryptocurrencies are not related to any financial or judicial authority. They can be used straight from a crypto wallet which is free and easy to use. There's no payment method to rival their speeds, with instant deposits and withdrawals. The most popular crypto for online betting is Bitcoin, but Ethereum, Tether, and Ripple make a pretty good option too.

Most Popular Sports to Bet on in Singapore

The top-rated online sports betting sites on this page have loads of markets to put your money on. Singapore bettors are mostly interested in football, but there's a growing Esports scene which is also attractive for bettors. Below you can see the most popular sports to bet on in Singapore, along with the best betting markets for each.

Football

Football is the most popular sport to bet on in Singapore online. The English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A along with the UEFA Champions League are the most popular markets. Every online bookmaker has the top football betting events set up on the front page. You get fixed odds, live betting markets, and a slew of free bets and special boosters for some of them. Football odds are quite competitive too, so you can find a lot of value if you join the best Singapore sports betting sites.

In terms of markets, 1x2 betting is the most popular. But in-play football betting is also a great niche, especially at sportsbooks with live streaming. They all have a live stats page that's updated all the time, so you can easily see what's happening on the pitch even if a stream is not available. If you're a football fan, you'll find the selection of markets pretty great. Make sure to check for free bets and such in order to get the most out of football betting markets.

Horse Racing

Besides football, Singaporean punters love to bet on horse races. What some of you may not know is that Singapore is home to some strong stables. It is also the home of the long-running Singapore Gold Cup. It's been in action since 1924, and a prestigious Group 1 thoroughbred horse race which attracts thousands of fans. Betting on it is possible at the top online sportsbooks, with competitive odds and great boosters.

Of course, you're welcome to bet on any other horse race you find attractive. The Kentucky Derby, Gold Cup, and The National always seem to get a lot of attention.

Esports

The Esports scene in Singapore is on the rise. There have been several new teams formed in the country in the past few years, and it has also hosted The International 11 AKA the biggest tournament in the world of Esports. The M3 World Championship has also been held here, as well as many other popular Esports events.

Due to this, this particular market sees a lot of action at online betting Singapore sites. While betting on video games might look complex, it's easier than you think. In fact, the markets are mostly similar to any other, where you pick a team to win or go all the way to the end of the tournament. Of course, there are specific markets too, especially in live betting, where you'll find odds of great value.

Basketball

Basketball is almost as popular as football among Singaporean bettors. The NBA is the most watched competition in the country, which isn't surprising at all. Betting on it is exciting, and with thousands of games during the regular season and playoffs, there's a lot of action going on.

Live basketball betting is thrilling, especially if you have live streams too. On top of that, you can also bet on special NBA star feats which change the tune completely and make online basketball betting all the more exciting.

Conclusion

Online betting is a big hit in Singapore. It has become the favourite pastime of thousands of bettors, who rarely go a day without some action. It's all made possible thanks to licensed offshore betting platforms. They include a whole package including sports betting and online casino games, so you can bet from your home or on the go on anything you want and anytime.

While sports betting in Singapore is prohibited save for a few local operators, international bookmakers are as charming as they get. With in-play sports betting markets, live streams, early cashouts, and detailed second-by-second stats, it's hard to pass up on them. Those looking for a good betting site should read our in-depth guide and enjoy online betting the way it's meant to be.