Singapore’s blind box regulations & trading card hobby

Why booster packs are being included

For most hobbyists, the experience of opening a booster pack is part of the fun. The suspense of revealing a rare card is deeply embedded in TCG culture.

I should probably admit here that I am not exactly neutral in this debate. I have been collecting and playing trading card games for a while now, and I still get that spell-binding rush when opening a fresh pack to see if something shiny appears. So yes, my perspective may be slightly biased but it also means I understand why pack-opening remains such a big part of the hobby.

Part of the regulatory focus also comes down to how trading card products are structured.

Most TCGs typically sell two main types of products: starter decks and booster packs.

Here’s what not many newcomers know: Starter decks are fixed products. They contain a predetermined set of cards designed to let a player start playing the game immediately. In short, buyers all get exactly the same cards when they purchase one.

On the other hand, booster packs work very differently. These sealed packs contain a random assortment of cards drawn from a larger pool, with rarer cards appearing far less frequently. The exact contents are unknown until the pack is opened, which is what creates the excitement – and the uncertainty.

From a regulatory perspective, that randomness is what places booster packs closer to blind box collectibles. The element of chance encourages repeat purchases as collectors chase specific rare cards. At the same time, the randomness also serves an important gameplay purpose. Booster packs help distribute cards across the player base and allow collectors to gradually build decks through trading and pack openings.

That dual role – both a gameplay mechanic and a chance-based purchase – is what makes trading cards a more complicated category to regulate.

What it could mean for players and collectors

But that same mechanic has also drawn criticism as the value of certain cards has skyrocketed. Some rare cards have sold for eye-watering prices on the secondary market, pushing parts of the hobby into speculative territory rather than casual play. For example, the latest One Piece TCG that was released over last weekend, OP15 “Adventure on Kami’s Island”, has an ultra-rare character Boa card that is already reselling for more than S$450. And this price is expected to go higher up.

If Singapore introduces probability disclosures or other transparency requirements, it could bring trading card products closer to how digital “gacha” systems or loot boxes in video games are regulated in some countries, including Singapore.

For collectors, that may simply mean clearer information on the odds of pulling very rare cards. For younger players – a major demographic in games and TCG like Pokemon – it could introduce new safeguards around how products are marketed and sold.

At the same time, I could argue that trading cards are fundamentally a hobby and game first, not a gambling product. Unlike casino-style mechanics, cards can be traded, played, or collected regardless of their rarity. The social side of the hobby – tournaments, deck building, trading – remains the main draw for many players.

What it could mean for hobby shops

Local hobby shops are likely to be watching the developments closely. Across Singapore, these stores play a central role in the TCG ecosystem. Beyond selling cards, they often host tournaments, trading sessions and community gatherings that keep the hobby alive.

Any regulations affecting booster packs could potentially change how products are sold, whether through labelling requirements, marketing guidelines or other compliance measures such as age checking. For smaller retailers, this may add administrative responsibilities or operational adjustments.

At the same time, some store owners might see potential benefits. Greater transparency around pack odds and product mechanics could strengthen consumer confidence in the hobby, particularly for parents who may be unfamiliar with how trading card products work or for TCG players hunting for cards to add to their playing decks (and not for collection).

The grey area of Oripas

If booster packs fall under regulatory scrutiny, Oripas could become an even bigger question mark.

Oripa stands for “original packs”, and are mystery bundles created by shops or individual sellers. Buyers pay a fixed price for a sealed pack containing random cards curated by the seller, often with the possibility of pulling high-value cards for a much lower fee.

The concept originated in Japan but has become increasingly visible in Singapore through online sellers and hobby stores.

While some Oripas offer genuine value, critics argue that they resemble informal lotteries. Buyers are effectively paying for a chance to pull something rare, without the standardised pull rates that official booster packs usually provide. In most, if not all cases, nobody even knows if the high-value cards were added into the draw.

Depending on how the government defines chance-based collectibles, Oripas could fall into a regulatory grey area. Unlike official products produced by card game publishers, these packs are assembled by third parties, which raises questions around transparency and consumer protection, because there have been some awful cheating cases.

A balancing act for regulators

For policymakers, the challenge will likely be finding the right balance. On one hand, there are legitimate concerns about encouraging excessive spending through chance-based retail mechanics, particularly among younger consumers. On the other hand, trading card games have existed for years as a hobby centred on collecting, playing and community engagement. Overly restrictive rules are bound to disrupt a niche but passionate scene.

As someone who enjoys the hobby myself, I can see both sides of the argument. Opening packs has always been part of the culture of trading card games, but clearer safeguards around how chance-based products are marketed would not necessarily be a bad thing.

We will only know in mid-2026 when the final framework becomes clear. The outcome then, will be interesting because it will shape how the local TCG business and community evolves in the years ahead.