Online sports betting is a popular source of entertainment and a means of making money for Singaporean bettors. If you’re from Lion City and looking for a place to bet on your favorite sports, this guide has everything you need.
This article will cover all you need to know about betting on sports online in Singapore, including how to read odds, betting laws, and popular sports to bet on.
What Makes Online Sports Betting Sites in Singapore the Best?
The top betting sites in Singapore will provide you with an opportunity to place your bets while catering to the needs and preferences of the local player audience. Let’s take a look at some of the features they offer:
- There are lots of markets: you will have a choice of a wide range of sports to bet on, with a strong emphasis being put on popularly bet sports in Singapore, such as football, cricket, and badminton. In addition, apart from ‘normal’ sports events, you will also have the opportunity to place your bets on esports as well as horse racing events taking place throughout the world.
As for the types of bets, you can expect to find moneyline bets, point spread types, as well as over/under. Live betting is also available.
- Bonuses and promotions: generous welcome offers, free bets, and loyalty programs are often used. This way, you will have the opportunity to try a betting site without a deposit or the possibility of receiving a reward for a long-term membership.
- Mobile Compatibility: It is expected to be supported through the use of either user-friendly applications or a mobile version that runs with good quality.
- Safe and secure transactions: a good betting site will offer you access to trustworthy payment methods, such as bank transfers, e-wallets, debit cards, etc. It will also have clear terms and conditions.
Betting Laws in Singapore
For all the Singapore sports fans who like a little flutter on the outcome, there are a couple of things to know. Betting on sports is technically legal, but there’s only one major player: Singapore Pools, which is run by the Tote Board. Established in 1968, they were created as a safe and regulated alternative to illegal gambling dens. The Singapore Turf Club also runs some online betting for horse racing enthusiasts.
Things got a bit interesting in 2014 when a law banning all gambling online was passed. Fortunately, Singapore Pools snagged an exemption in 2016, which allows them to offer online sports betting and lotteries. And while it’s the only local option available, many international sportsbooks accept Singaporean players.
Overseas Sportsbooks vs. Singapore Pools
You’re surely aware of the most famous representative of Singapore’s online betting sportsbooks. Singapore Pools is a government-run betting company that allows you to place bets on sports both online and at their physical outlets. However, there are also scores of foreign bookmakers available to Singaporean players, and many of them have a lot to offer.
For instance, young adults have to wait a bit with Singapore Pools. You can place bets physically once you are 18, but online and phone wagering have to wait until you’re 21. Meanwhile, foreign bookies will allow you to partake in betting once you are 18.
What Are the Preferred Sports for Betting Among Singaporeans?
Singapore offers a wide range of online sports betting platforms, with various sports events taking place on a national and global scale. However, some sports resonate with Singaporean fans. We will look at the most popular sports for online betting taking place on Singaporean sportsbooks.
Football
Seasonal and international leagues are massive betting opportunities across Singapore, where football lives and breathes on and off the pitch. Whether wagering on the Singapore Premier League (SPL) or international giants such as the Premier League, La Liga, UEFA Champions League, or FIFA World Cup, fans put their predictions to the test in every corner of the city.
Basketball
It is no secret that Singaporeans have a deep love for basketball, with the national team even bringing home impressive results in regional tournaments. Though for many residents, local games and competitions are all they care about, betting sites can offer a vast variety of other options. Surely, the NBA needs no introduction, and the majority of these sites also have bets on European and Asian leagues and tournaments.
Cricket
While the sport may not be Singapore’s national pastime, there’s still a lot of excitement for cricket. It’s no different when local favorites play regional teams like Malaysia.
Therefore, online Sportsbook Singapore sites will offer you the necessary coverage. Enjoy a punt here or there, as you’ll get to place a wager on match outcomes, individual scores, player performances, and more. Take your pick from test matches, twenty20s, or domestic leagues such as the Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League, or SA20. Still, major tournaments like the Cricket World Cup are available as well.
Other Sports
Football and basketball are at the top of the pyramid; however, people are interested in other sports for betting as well. During the Olympic Games, there could be bets on badminton, and rugby union is another viable option. Meanwhile, online bookmakers can have a horse racing section along with major American sports (NFL, NHL, MLB).
How to Read Sports Betting Odds in Singapore?
Betting odds can be confusing, especially if you are new to betting. Firstly, the odds available depend on where in the world you are. The three most common types are European (decimals), used by most online sites, and the Singapore Pools, UK (fractions), and American (money lines).
Singapore commonly uses European odds, the default format for the Singapore Pools and most online foreign sportsbooks. These odds are easy to understand; they simply tell you how much you would get back if you won your bet. For example, odds of 1.75 on an SGD 100 bet would mean you got SGD 191 back if you won the SGD 100 bet and the SGD 75 payout.
Where Can I Find the Best Online Sports Betting Sites in Singapore?
Betting on sports is always a thrilling and rewarding pastime. There is no hard time for Singaporean punters to find online sportsbook betting sites because Tipsportal has all the legal sportsbooks in one location. So, make your decision, pick a sportsbook, place your bet on your favorite team, and join in the fun!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is it legal to place bets online in Singapore?
Speaking of the legality of online sports betting in Singapore, this issue is somewhat controversial. To be specific, even though there is a total ban on almost all forms of online gaming, Singapore Pools is now the only licensed betting operator that offers a wide range of betting options on sports events. At the same time, one can note that a large number of offshore online places accepting sports bettors from Singapore is also available, though their legality remains debatable.
Q: What are my options for online sports betting in Singapore?
Your primary options are:
Singapore Pools: It is the only licensed and fully regulated online sports betting website in Singapore. There is a wide selection of sports to bet on as well.
Offshore online sportsbooks: there is a great deal of foreign sports betting online websites that accept citizens from Singapore but are not regulated by the Singapore government. Even though some of them are reliable.
Q: What should I do before placing sports bets online in Singapore?
Firstly, check its legality in your location. If it is allowed, pick it up at a trustworthy and safe Sportsbook Online Betting Singapore site. This will provide you with a safe and comprehensible transaction system along with the bet rules. You will also need to determine your budget and not aim to spend more than it. In addition, we strongly suggest exploring the teams and matches before placing the bets.
