S’pore to regulate blind boxes to better manage gambling risks: Shanmugam

Blind boxes sold in Singapore will soon be regulated, following a review by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA).

In a written parliamentary reply, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said the authorities have decided to introduce regulations stipulating the conditions under which blind boxes may be offered.

This is to better manage gambling inducement risks.

He was responding to questions by Member of Parliament (MP) Dennis Tan about whether the government intends to legislate mandatory and standardised disclosure of odds and probability ranges for blind box or “gacha” products.

Regulations being drafted

The regulations are being drafted, Shanmugam said.

Tan's suggestion to have "mandatory and standardised odds and probability disclosure" will be among the points that will be considered for the regulations, he added.

What are blind boxes?

A blind box is usually a sealed package containing a random collectible such as toy, figurine or keychains.

Buyers do not know which design they’ll get until they open it, which motivates them to buy more to get the specific item that they want.

One popular toy is the Labubu, a character made popular by K-pop girl group Blackpink’s Lisa in 2024.

Other notable ones include the Smiski, Sonny Angels and Skullpanda.

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