SINGAPORE \u2013 Despite being blocked in Singapore since late 2024, a gambling platform that allows users to place bets on future events remains accessible here through alternative means. <\/p>\n
Checks by The Straits Times show that Polymarket has seen a surge in bets related to the Republic in recent weeks, with punters staking their money on, for instance, Singapore\u2019s daily temperature since March 13.<\/p>\n
In April, an average of more than US$100,000 (S$127,000) was wagered each day, as users bought \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d shares tied to a specific temperature. <\/p>\n
On April 17, nearly US$125,000 had been wagered by the 8pm deadline. Most people had bet that the daily mercury would read 33 deg C at its hottest.<\/p>\n
Those who bet correctly receive payouts in cryptocurrency. In this case, the payouts are credited daily.<\/p>\n
According to information on its website, the subjects of the bets are selected by the platform\u2019s markets team, after taking into account input from users.<\/p>\n
Polymarket\u2019s website says users in Singapore are not allowed to place bets because of geographical restrictions and regulations. It actively restricts accounts from 33 places, including Singapore, based on a list on its site.<\/p>\n A third-party platform enables people to make bets on Polymarket even in banned jurisdictions.<\/p>\n PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM POLYMARKET<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Even so, as financial transactions on the platform are made through cryptocurrency wallets, it is difficult to ascertain the identities of individual punters.<\/p>\n Other Singapore-related topics that previously featured on the platform for wagers include the annual Singapore Grand Prix, the 2023 Presidential Election<\/span><\/a> and the 2025 General Election<\/span><\/a>, which saw close to US$720,000 in bets placed.<\/p>\n In response to queries, the Gambling Regulatory Authority, Infocomm Media Development Authority and police told ST on April 17 that \u201cno blocking method is foolproof\u201d. <\/p>\n Before the spate of weather-related bets, Singapore events that had wagers placed on them included the 2025 General Election.<\/p>\n PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM POLYMARKET<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Access to the site by Singapore-based users has been blocked since December 2024, after an assessment determined that it was providing unlawful gambling services.<\/p>\n Reiterating that Singapore Pools is the only operator licensed to provide remote gambling services in Singapore, the authorities said any other operators offering such services \u2013 including those that allow users to wager money on the outcome of an event or process \u2013 are unlawful.<\/p>\n They added that those who \u201cdeliberately circumvent the Government\u2019s blocking measures do so at their own risk\u201d, and may be considered as having committed an offence under the Gambling Control Act.<\/p>\n If convicted, individuals can be fined up to $10,000 or jailed up to six months, or face both penalties.<\/p>\n Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said in a written parliamentary reply in January 2025 that the Ministry of Home Affairs had blocked access to more than 3,800 illegal gambling websites.<\/p>\n As at Dec 31, 2024, more than 145,000 illegal gambling transactions involving people in Singapore were blocked, with the amount totalling about $37 million.<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>
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