PLACING STAKES ON PROSPERITY: FIRST CASINO OPENS IN SINGAPORE

To increase tourism and give a boost to the service sector, Singapore’s government has lifted a 40-year ban against gambling and made a decision to build the city-state’s first casinos. This has raised some public concern for gambling is associated with social ills and carries a stigma. On the other hand, a casino is an efficient way of attracting tourists and boosting the local economy.

Singapore has approached the issue in a rather original way: the casinos will be incorporated into a grander scheme of either a business and convention centre or a family-oriented entertainment district, taking up two sites at the Marina Bayfront and Sentosa Island. The two are referred to as Integrated Resorts (IRs), and the casinos are expected to fill up less than five per cent of the total floor area of each resort.

Aware of Singaporeans’ concerns about legalising gambling, the government has taken a number of measures to ensure that this does not become a social problem. While tourists are welcome free of charge, Singaporean citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) will have to pay an entrance fee which is priced at S$100 (US$65) per day or S$2,000 (US$1,310) per year, with the proceeds going to charity. Secondly, those undergoing bankruptcy proceedings or with poor credit history will not be allowed in to gamble. Thirdly, some public education programmes on gambling addiction will be created and promoted. Lastly, no explicit casino advertising will be allowed to be published or broadcast by the local media.

“We strongly support responsible gambling”, said Chief Executive Officer of Resorts World Sentosa, Mr. Tan Hee Teck at the casino soft opening press conference. He pointed out that professional counselling will be provided for gamblers at special counsellor’s rooms positioned on the premises of RWS casino.

Singapore’s first IR, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), began the first day of the Tiger year (14 February) with the soft-opening of its casino and a preview opportunity to stroll through the amazing environments at Universal Studios Singapore. The casino received its licence on 6 February, thus securing bragging rights as Singapore’s first casino ahead of Las Vegas Sands, that is still working closely with the Casino Regulatory Authority to obtain its casino licence.

The casino, the Resort’s much-anticipated attraction, received its first public guest at the auspicious hour of 12.18 p. m. When pronounced in the Cantonese dialect, 12.18 sounds like “prosperity”.

Chairman of Resorts World Sentosa and the Genting Group, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said: “In less than three years since the time we broke ground and commenced construction for Resorts World Sentosa, we have taken our vision from drawing board to reality. This is a significant milestone in Singapore’s business history. We promised to deliver a true Integrated Resort, and we have not deviated from that.”

Mr. Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said he expects 13 million visitors to Resorts World Sentosa this year – 60 per cent foreign and 40 per cent Singaporean.

Singapore’s second casino complex, Marina Bay Sands, is being completed by US-based Las Vegas Sands and is expected to open late spring.

Chairman of Resorts World Sentosa and the Genting Group, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay and Chief Executive Officer of Resorts World Sentosa, Mr. Tan Hee Teck at the auspicious ceremony of ian Jing (dotting of the eyes of the lions)

©2009 Resorts World at Sentosa

The first game of baccarat was played by Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman of Resorts World Sentosa and the Genting Group

©2009 Resorts World at Sentosa

Resorts World Sentosa casino offers more than 15 varieties of able games, slots and electronic game machines

Dealers welcome the first guests of the casino