The sale of seller-made blind trading card packs, known as “Oripas” or original packs, might be an offence if they involve cheating or illegal gambling, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said. These packs are not official products and are made by third parties, marketed as a low-cost way to try for high-value cards.
A spokesperson for MHA said, “Depending on the facts of the case, sellers of Oripas may be committing cheating or illegal gambling offences.” The packs are sold as a form of lottery, with trading cards of varying values repackaged into blind packs and sold at a premium. Sellers often claim that buyers have a chance to obtain rare and valuable cards, although these claims are difficult to verify.
Ultimately, many buyers end up with cards worth far less than what they paid for. Prices for Oripas range from a few dollars to several hundred dollars per pack, with some promising rare cards allegedly worth thousands. The proliferation of Oripas has drawn concern in the trading card community, with several hobbyists reaching out to the media over potential scams and gambling risks.
Legal Risks
Under the Gambling Control Act, conducting unapproved games of chance or lotteries can result in up to seven years in jail and fines up to S$500,000 for a first offence. Repeat offenders can face up to 10 years in jail and fines up to S$700,000. Those who induce individuals under 18 to participate in such gambling can be jailed for up to six years and fined S$300,000.
The police have said they will investigate if reports are lodged, ensuring that sellers who may be breaking the law are held accountable. The authorities are also expected to introduce regulations around trading card blind boxes by mid-2026 to manage gambling risks.
