History and Milestones
Since 1988, Singapore Totalisator Board (Tote Board) has been channelling gaming revenues into grants that build a caring and resilient Singapore society, funding diverse causes from social services to sports development.
Last updated 29 December 2025
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Inception years (1980s)
Before Tote Board was established, giving was often characterised by ad-hoc, short-term corporate donations, and reliance on public appeals. The professionalising and expanding social service sector required a more sustainable, predictable, and strategic source of funds to undertake long-term projects and build organisational capacity. In the immediate years after Tote Board was set up, the agency started to provide direct, small-scale grants to meet immediate community needs as they arose.
1988
Singapore Totalisator Board (the “Board”) was established on 1 January 1988 as a statutory board under the purview of the Ministry of Finance.
It took over the rights to regulate the conduct of betting by its agencies, and acquired Singapore Turf Club. Its other core purpose was to channel the surpluses generated from gaming to worthy causes in the community.
1989
Set up its first reversionary trust fund for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Similar funds were set up subsequently in 1993 and 1996, for the Singapore Dance Theatre and the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, respectively.
Decades of growth (1990 - 2000s)
Partnering with government ministries, Tote Board evolved into a major funding body that provides sustainable, long-term funding for strategic national priorities, establishing large funds and working through sector administrators to deliver critical social services. Channeling the operating surpluses from gaming activities, its unique funding model enabled dedicated, large-scale and non-donor-dependent giving for social good.
1994
Launched the Arts Grant for Schools to nurture a love for the arts from a young age and to support the nation’s fledgling arts scene. The programme, which benefitted all schools and several arts groups, has since been expanded to include the institutions of higher learning.
1995
Started the Tote Board Arts Fund to support Singaporean artists and arts groups in bringing arts to the community.
1996
Started funding towards the construction of The Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay arts complex, for a period of seven years
1999
Started supporting the National Day Parade celebrations
2003
Started funding selected community programming at The Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
2004
Acquired Singapore Pools (Pte) Ltd from Temasek Holdings. The donation function of Pools was consolidated at the Singapore Totalisator Board, expanding its areas of support to include charity and sports.
2006
Set up the Sporting Singapore Fund to promote sports excellence and sporting activities for social bonding and healthy living among Singaporeans of all ages and abilities.
Launched the Tote Board Social Service Fund to support critical and strategic social services as well as community programmes in the social service sector
Started the Fundraising Programme that assists social service organisations and non-profit organisations to achieve their fundraising targets, and encourage ground-up initiatives to address challenges and better meet community needs
2007
Contributed to the building of Gardens by the Bay, Singapore's national garden and premier horticultural attraction.
2008
Singapore Totalisator Board re-branded itself as ‘Tote Board’ and adopted a new logo and tagline. The new logo, with its blue and orange hues representing professionalism, trustworthiness, warmth and humanity, also features a unique ‘smile graphic’ reflecting Tote Board’s care for people and the community. The tagline, ‘Giving Hope, Improving Lives’ epitomised Tote Board’s core purpose and contributions towards society.
Tote Board supported the building of ABC Waterways. The project enhances Singapore waterways and water bodies aesthetically, transforms them into communal spaces, and strengthens Singapore’s flood resilience.
2009
Launched the Tote Board Community Health Fund (renamed Tote Board Better Health Fund in 2025) to support the piloting of innovative programmes for the community care sector
Partnerships for change (2010s)
Moving beyond traditional funding models, Tote Board embraced collective problem-solving, building strong partnerships with stakeholders to develop innovative, participatory solutions to complex social issues. By setting up targeted innovation funds, it also played a crucial role in promoting innovation and professionalisation within the non-profit sector.
2015
Launched the Enabling Lives Initiative to uplift the lives of persons with disabilities and their caregivers with scalable solutions and meaningful innovations
Supported the development of Enabling Village, an inclusive community space in Singapore for integrating persons with disabilities in society
Launched capacity and capability building initiatives to build capacity and capability of the non-profit and social service sectors to deliver effective programmes for the community
2018
Tote Board commemorated its 30th Anniversary with a public event “A Good Day Out” on 10 February at Gardens by the Bay. In conjunction, it announced a commemorative initiative through the fund-raising programme, with a doubling of its contribution from $50,000 to $100,000 per project, for a period of one financial year.
2019
Horse betting operations were consolidated as part of business rationalisation to achieve efficiencies. Singapore Pools took over the management and operations of horse betting from Singapore Turf Club. Singapore Turf Club continued to manage and operate high quality horse racing.
2020
During the pandemic, Tote Board, together with the Government, announced the Enhanced Fundraising Programme to provide more support for charities. This programme provides dollar-for-dollar matching, up to $250,000 per charity, for fundraising projects that help the underserved in the community.
Driving impact giving (2021 onwards)
Adopting an issue-based, outcome-focused and evidence-driven approach, Tote Board focuses on impact giving with rigorous impact measurement, so that every dollar creates lasting, measurable outcomes for Singapore's communities.
2022
On 25 October 2022, GRA issued a licence to Singapore Pools under Section 54 of the Gambling Control Act 2022, allowing Singapore Pools to conduct betting operations, gaming and lotteries. Tote Board continues to be accountable to the Ministry of Finance for the governance of Singapore Pools.
The Impact Measurement Framework was established in 2002 following a Strategic Review, transforming vision into action through four Strategic Outcome pillars. Clear performance indicators and an evidence-driven approach ensures every grant addresses community needs and delivers effective impact.
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2023
To enhance the future-readiness of Singapore’s social ecosystem, Tote Board committed $6 million over three years to support action-oriented, evidence-based futures solutioning. Of which, $3 million will be channelled towards supporting the new “Future-Ready Society Impact Fund”, which will bring together community partners from the People-Private-Public sectors to co-solution towards a future-ready social ecosystem.
The government announced the closure of the Singapore Turf Club as part of land development plans.
2024
On 5 October 2024, the Singapore Turf Club held its last race. The Grand Singapore Gold Cup paid homage to the Club’s 182-year racing heritage.
2025
On 17 January 2025, Tote Board launched Better Everyday by Tote Board, our sub-brand for grantmaking with a bold aspiration: ensuring inclusivity and creating opportunities for all to thrive. Better Everyday is about impact giving that fosters healthier, safer, and more resilient communities.
