Questions About the Farm Era
Is this the same system as today's casino licence?
No — the farm system ended decades before the modern Common Gaming Houses Act; they are separate regulatory eras.
Were these farms illegal or underground?
No — they were officially licensed by the colonial administration through a public auction system, not clandestine operations.
Who could bid for a farm?
Bidders were typically wealthy merchants, often heads of Chinese secret societies (Kongsi); records of individual bids are incomplete (verify).
Why were gambling and opium farms often combined?
Combining them simplified the colonial administration's collection of a single revenue stream, though separate farms also existed at various points (verify).
When did the system end?
The farm system was progressively abolished across the region in the early 20th century, replaced by direct state licensing and monopolies (verify exact dates per territory).
How reliable are these records?
Coverage is uneven — some farms are well documented in colonial trade records, others rely on secondary academic sources and are marked accordingly.
Does this site take a position on the ethics of the system?
No — the archive presents documented facts and flags disputed points; it does not moralise about historical actors.
Is this connected to any operator today?
No. This is an independent historical archive with no link to any current gambling business.