The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has officially announced the appointment of Mr. Hoong Wee Teck as the new Chairman of the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) Board. Effective April 1, 2026, the Commissioner of Police succeeds Mr. Tan Tee How, who steps down after nearly a decade of leadership at the helm of Singapore’s gambling oversight bodies.
The appointment marks a significant transition for the GRA as it enters a new phase of regulatory maturity. Mr. Hoong, who has served as a member of the GRA Board since August 2022, brings extensive law enforcement and operational experience to the role, positioning the authority to address increasingly complex challenges in the digital and land-based gaming sectors.
A Legacy of Regulatory Transformation
The outgoing Chairman, Mr. Tan Tee How, played a pivotal role in the evolution of Singapore’s gaming landscape. Appointed as Chairman of the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) in 2017, he oversaw the transition of the body into the GRA in 2022, a move that centralised the regulation of all forms of gambling under a single statutory board.
Under Mr. Tan’s leadership, the GRA successfully:
- Centralised Oversight: Streamlined regulations for casinos, jackpot rooms, and online gambling services.
- Licensing Reforms: Introduced the new gambling control legislation which simplified the licensing framework for the industry.
- Social Safeguards: Strengthened Singapore’s multi-layered approach to harm minimisation and the protection of vulnerable individuals.
The MHA expressed its deep appreciation for Mr. Tan’s “dedicated service and significant contributions”, noting that his leadership was instrumental in maintaining the integrity of the sector during a period of rapid technological change.
2026 Strategy: Security and Integrity
As Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hoong Wee Teck is expected to bring a heightened focus on the intersection of financial crime and gambling. His appointment signals a reinforced commitment to ensuring that Singapore’s gaming hubs, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, remain hostile environments for illicit financial flows.
This emphasis on security mirrors broader regional shifts. In the neighbouring Pacific, the Philippines has launched a new AML strategy for 2026-2030 to exit the FATF “grey list”, suggesting a coordinated effort across Southeast Asian regulators to harmonise anti-money laundering protocols. Mr. Hoong’s dual role as Police Commissioner and GRA Chairman is likely to facilitate smoother intelligence sharing between the police force and the regulator.
Board Renewal and Continuity
In addition to the Chairmanship, the MHA announced several reappointments to the GRA Board to ensure institutional stability:
- Mr. Chia Der Jiun: Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
- Mr. Robert Hecker: Managing Director of Horwath HTL Asia Pacific.
- Ms. Lin Huihui: Senior Director at the Ministry of Finance.
These reappointments ensure that the GRA maintains strong links with the financial and hospitality sectors, both of which are critical to the success of Singapore’s Integrated Resorts (IRs).
Outlook: The Digital Frontier
As the GRA moves into the 2026 fiscal year, the new Chairman faces a landscape defined by the rise of “borderless” gaming risks. With the expansion of the IRs currently underway and the continued evolution of remote gambling technologies, Mr. Hoong’s mandate will focus on maintaining a “safe and trusted” gambling environment while supporting Singapore’s reputation as a global financial hub.
For the iGaming industry, this leadership change underscores a trend toward “law-enforcement-led” regulation, where compliance and security are prioritised alongside commercial growth. Stakeholders anticipate that under Mr. Hoong, the GRA will continue to be one of the world’s most stringent, yet transparent, regulatory authorities.