Likened to Gambling, Singapore Government Prepares New Regulations on Blind Boxes

Singapore — The blind box or mystery box phenomenon is increasingly popular among young people and adults across various countries. Many people chase blind boxes out of curiosity about what they will receive, with some even becoming addicted to the unboxing experience.

Following the blind box trend in various countries including Singapore, the Singapore government will now impose regulations on blind box sales. This is being done to address gambling-related risks, according to Singapore’s Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.

Shanmugam disclosed this when Workers’ Party-Hougang Member of Parliament Dennis Tan raised the matter during a parliamentary session on 12 February. Tan had asked whether the Singapore government would require sellers to disclose the odds of obtaining each item in blind box or ‘gacha’ products.

Shanmugam explained that his ministry, together with the Gambling Regulatory Authority, had studied the issue and decided to establish provisions governing how blind boxes are offered.

“Regulations are being drawn up. The member’s suggestion to mandate standardised disclosure of odds and probabilities will be one of the matters considered in the regulations,” Shanmugam said in a written response, as quoted by CNA News on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

The Gambling Control Act allows certain types of low-risk gambling services, such as lucky draws, to be offered under a class licensing system, where there is no need to apply for a permit from the Gambling Regulatory Authority.

The authority stated on its website that further details regarding class licensing provisions for mystery boxes would be announced in due course.

Meanwhile, social service agency TOUCH Community Services had previously said that such chance-based activities have the potential to raise concerns.

“The growing normalisation of chance-based games and activities, such as blind box purchases, raises serious concerns, particularly for children and adolescents. These activities present the thrill of uncertainty and potential rewards, which can quickly develop into compulsive behaviour. The dopamine levels released when opening a blind box can trigger a very powerful reward system in the brain, potentially leading to addiction,” said Shawn Soh, lead counsellor at the organisation’s counselling and intervention department.