Eric Chua on safeguards against use of bots for bookings and ‘on-selling activities’ for SportSG facilities

The Government takes a serious view of the use of bots to book sports facilities and “on-selling activities”, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Eric Chua. Replying to an MP’s questions in Parliament on Tuesday (Jul 4), he highlighted the measures that SportSG has taken to combat such practices. It has enhanced its online booking system, including using a web application firewall and upgrading its recapture software to better identify bots and prevent them from making bookings. Daily booking records, social platforms and activity logs are scanned regularly. Enforcement measures have been put in place at the sports centres to ensure that facility hirers are present throughout their booking period. Mr Chua said SportSG has suspended more than 270 scripters and 180 “on-seller” accounts over the past two years. To further deter these activities, harsher penalties have been introduced from Jul 1. Mr Chua said with these measures, the volume of feedback on the use of bots and “on-selling” has reduced significantly. To combat the use of improved bot technologies to try to circumvent the safeguards, SportSG will continue to enhance its systems and adopt best practices. Mr Chua also urged the public not to buy sports facilities bookings from “on-sellers”.