SINGAPORE : The government is not out to promote gambling even
as it considers plans for a casino in Sentosa.
Instead, Trade and Industry Minister George Yeo explains the
government's approach is to have a casino that is good for
the economy, but without the sleaze.
Singapore will not be another Macau or Las Vegas, says
Brigadier-General (NS) Yeo, but the government is interested in the
economic boost that will come with high stakes gambling.
If it does decide on a casino, it will be on Sentosa and the
southern islands - an area to be developed into a playground for
the rich and famous.
"We don't want the crime and sleaze. What we want is a facility in
the southern islands which is world-class, which stands out because
of its special unique character, and part of an international
resort and residential development which will help Singapore stay
ahead in this competition amongst cities in Asia," BG Yeo
said
"This is our objective, not to promote gambling among Singaporeans.
And to achieve this, to have our cake and eat it too, we
must have controls in place."
It may be an uphill task convincing Singaporeans why most of them
should be left out of such a casino -- membership may be
one way of controlling their admission.
Meeting with Bukit Batok residents, BG Yeo related how Singaporeans
will go to Batam or get on a cruise ship to gamble.
But his point was that the government would never make it easier
for Singaporeans to gamble. If it did, he felt the number of
gamblers will increase "ten times".
"Sometimes gambling can destroy families. So on the one hand we
want to attract international gamblers to come here, we want to
attract high, wealthy tourists to come here, I don't think we want
to encourage Singaporeans to go and patronise these casinos when
they cannot afford it," he said.
BG Yeo was quick to assure that many of the reasons for not wanting
a casino in Singapore still hold.
Otherwise he said the government might as well have a casino in
Bukit Batok East.
So the government in its deliberations have to balance both issues
-- how to have an international casino, that is not at the same
time nearby and convenient to locals.
Meanwhile, it is likely many studies will be done before a decision
is made. - CNA
[/quote]
for eons they had been adamant - our current PM had even said tt as
long as he is in power, no casinos wil be built in singapore.
i certainly hope they haf done or are going to do extensive
studies, and thinking, into this, b4 committing.
yes the economic boost may seem attractive. but there r likely to
be negative consequences.
