Principal levers in proposed blind box regulations

Question:

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the principal regulatory levers under consideration for the proposed blind box regulations in relation to sealed packs of trading card game (TCG) products; (b) whether requiring retailers to open sealed packs and sell cards as individually identified items is among the options; and (c) what consultation has been conducted with TCG retailers, collectors and youth-serving organisation s.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. The Ministry of Home Affairs will share the specifics of our proposed blind box regulations, which will also cover trading card games later this year. We are currently engaging industry stakeholders. The regulations will aim to mitigate the gambling inducement risk of blind boxes.

2. We do not intend to require the sellers of blind boxes, of trading cards or otherwise, to open the sealed boxes and sell the contents as individual items. This would effectively ban blind boxes. Any proposed safeguard will need to be proportionate to the gambling inducement risk of the product.