8A.—(1) The Authority may, from time to time, inquire into an associate, or a person likely to become an associate, of an approved manufacturer or approved supplier.
(2) In particular, the Authority shall consider whether there is any information that an associate, or a person likely to become an associate, of an approved manufacturer or approved supplier —
(a)
is not of good repute, having regard to character, honesty and integrity;
(b)
is not of sound and stable financial background;
(c)
has any undesirable or unsatisfactory financial resources;
(d)
has any business association with any person, body or association who or which, in the opinion of the Authority, is not of good repute having regard to character, honesty and integrity or has undesirable or unsatisfactory financial resources; or
(e)
does not have a consistent track record of compliance with any legal and regulatory requirements applicable to it, whether in relation to its business as a manufacturer or supplier of gaming machines or otherwise and whether in Singapore or elsewhere.
(3) An approved manufacturer or approved supplier shall notify the Authority in writing that a person is likely to become an associate of the approved manufacturer or approved supplier as soon as practicable after the approved manufacturer or approved supplier becomes aware of the likelihood.
(4) The Authority may, by notice in writing, require a person referred to in paragraph (1) —
(a)
to provide the Authority, in accordance with directions in the notice, with such information relevant to the approved manufacturer or approved supplier or the first-mentioned person’s association with the approved manufacturer or approved supplier, or with such information as the Authority requires, as is specified in the notice;
(b)
to produce to the Authority, in accordance with the directions in the notice, such records relevant to the approved manufacturer or approved supplier or that association, or to matters specified by the Authority, as may be specified in the notice and to permit the Authority to examine the records, take extracts from them and make copies of them; or
(c)
to attend before the Authority for examination in relation to any matter relevant to the approved manufacturer or approved supplier or that association, or to matters specified by the Authority, and to answer questions relating to those matters.
(5) If records are produced under this regulation, the Authority may retain possession of the records for such period as may reasonably be necessary for inquiries to be carried out.
(6) At any reasonable time during the period for which records are retained, the Authority shall permit inspection of the records by a person who would be entitled to inspect them if they were not in the possession of the Authority.
(7) The Authority may —
(a)
require an associate or a person likely to become an associate of the approved manufacturer or approved supplier to consent to having his photograph, finger prints and palm prints taken; and
(b)
send a copy of such photograph, finger prints and palm prints, and any supporting documents to the Commissioner of Police.
(8) The Commissioner of Police or any police officer authorised by the Commissioner shall inquire into and report to the Authority on such matters concerning the associate, or person likely to become an associate, of the approved manufacturer or approved supplier as the Authority requests.
(9) If the Authority determines that an associate of an approved manufacturer or approved supplier has engaged or is engaging in conduct that, in the Authority’s opinion, is unacceptable for a person who is concerned in or associated with the ownership, management or operation of the business of the approved manufacturer or approved supplier, the Authority may give written notice to the associate that the conduct is unacceptable.
(10) If ––
(a)
the Authority having regard to the matters referred to in paragraph (2), determines that an associate of an approved manufacturer or approved supplier is unsuitable to be concerned in or associated with the business of the approved manufacturer or approved supplier; or
(b)
the associate continues with the conduct referred to in paragraph (9),
the Authority may, by notice in writing, direct the approved manufacturer or approved supplier to take all reasonable steps to terminate the association and the approved manufacturer or approved supplier shall comply with the direction within 14 days after receiving that notice or any longer period agreed with the Authority.