Singapore regulator fines Marina Bay Sands $77k for ad rule breach
Singapore’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) has imposed a fine on Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd SGD100,000 (approximately US$77,300) for carrying out casino promotions without receiving prior approval from the regulator. The penalty was listed in the GRA’s enforcement update for the financial year 2025. It cited a breach of Regulation 3(1)(c) of the Casino Control (Advertising) Regulations 2010, which requires all casino operators to obtain approval before promoting any casino-related activities.
According to the GRA, the company was penalised for “Failure to obtain prior approval from the Authority to carry out or offer, or cause to be carried out or offered, casino promotions.” The regulator did not provide further details about the promotion or when it took place.
First GRA penalty for Marina Bay Sands in six years
This is the first regulatory action taken by the GRA against Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd since the financial year 2019.
In contrast, Resorts World Sentosa Pte Ltd, the operator of the other casino in Singapore, has been fined seven times between FY2020 and FY2023. The total penalties imposed on Resorts World Sentosa during this period amounted to SGD2.695 million, with the largest single fine of SGD2.25 million issued in FY2023 for not following customer due diligence requirements.
Expansion of Marina Bay Sands underway
The fine comes shortly after Marina Bay Sands (MBS) began work on a major expansion of its integrated resort. The development, known as “MBS 2.0”, officially broke ground on 15 July 2025.
The new phase is expected to be completed by June 2030, with a public opening set for January 2031. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, said, “I’m glad this partnership has flourished, and I’m even happier that we are now taking it to the next level.”
The upcoming 55-storey tower will feature 570 luxury suites, more gaming space, new restaurants, retail outlets, a spa, and other facilities. It will also include a new 15,000-seat indoor arena, designed by global architecture firm Populous, and a 200,000-square-foot MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) podium.
Agreement with tourism board and major financing
The expansion follows a January 2025 agreement between Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Tourism Board, allowing the resort to increase its gaming area in return for a $1 billion (€920 million) payment to the government.
In February 2025, the company secured a S$12 billion (€8.6 billion) credit facility to help fund the development. Patrick Dumont, President and COO of Las Vegas Sands, said, “This speaks volumes of our confidence in this region and the potential we continue to see in Singapore.”
By the time construction ends, Las Vegas Sands expects to have invested over $15 billion (€13.8 billion) in Singapore.
Major upgrades and automation
In addition to the new tower, Marina Bay Sands recently completed a $1.75 billion renovation of its existing hotel towers. The upgrade added 775 suites, taking the total number of rooms to about 1,850.
In June 2025, the resort also started using 12 Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to handle deliveries within the hotel and convention centre.
These robots were introduced to reduce the need for manual work and make deliveries more efficient. Earlier, staff had to make over 200 deliveries by hand each day. The AMRs now cover 20 pre-set routes, and each can transport up to 300kg of goods at a speed of 84 metres per minute. The introduction of the robots has led to a 30 percent reduction in manpower needs for deliveries.
Shijith Prathapan, Vice President of Procurement and Supply Chain at Marina Bay Sands, said, “Running a large-scale integrated resort like Marina Bay Sands requires effective workforce planning, and since day one, we have fostered a culture of productivity by investing in innovation.”
The AMR fleet will be expanded by five more robots by the end of 2025. So far, the resort has automated over 200 work processes, freeing up more than 162,000 manhours per year.
Continued focus on compliance
While the financial penalty is relatively small, it highlights the need for strict compliance with Singapore’s casino regulations. The GRA’s action is a reminder that all casino operators must strictly follow advertising rules, even while expanding their business.
Marina Bay Sands is still an important part of Singapore’s tourism and gaming sector and is continuing to invest in new buildings and technology to support its future growth.
