S'poreans split evenly on
casino
Survey finds 53% in favour of and 47% against having a casino, with
those opposed fearing social costs of gambling
By Lydia Lim
THE ongoing debate over whether Singapore should have its own
casino has the population split almost right down the middle.
A Straits Times (ST) survey carried out two weeks ago found that 53
per cent are in favour of having a casino here, while 47 per cent
oppose it.
Those in favour believe it will help the country attract more
tourists, generate revenue and create jobs.
Those opposed are concerned about the social costs. Nine in 10 of
them believe a casino will lead to gambling addiction growing here
and causing more family-related problems, while eight in 10 fear a
casino will also result in more crime.
Only two-thirds of those who oppose a casino do so because they
believe gambling is immoral.
Public policy expert Ho Khai Leong said it is unusual for society
to be so evenly split on an issue.
But the casino debate is unique as it pits economic arguments
against deeply-felt moral convictions and social values, he said.
Probably the only other issue in the past that was so polarising
was the debate over legalising abortion, he added.
The ST survey is the first to gauge public sentiment since the
casino idea was first broached by the Government in March as part
of plans for a top-class resort on the Southern Islands, to draw
the world's rich and famous.
Leaders of several religious groups have voiced their opposition to
the idea.
But it had not been clear until now where the population at large
stands on the issue. The survey by Singapore Press Holdings'
research arm polled a representative sample of 376 Singaporeans and
permanent residents aged 20 and above.
It found that race is a significant factor, with Chinese the most
likely to want a casino here and Malays the least likely. Six in 10
Chinese want it as compared to only two in 10 Malays. Among
Indians, 45 per cent are in favour.
Men are also more likely than women to support the idea, but other
factors such as age, income and education do not seem
significant.
If there is a casino here, most of those polled - 68 per cent -
want entry for all adult Singaporeans.
They disagree with a government proposal to limit entry, possibly
to tourists and higher-income Singaporeans, as they do not want
discrimination between rich and poor. They also believe adult
Singaporeans are mature enough to make their own decisions.
As for the 30 per cent who want entry restrictions, they believe
the poor need to be protected against gambling losses.
The survey findings also suggest that there are Singaporeans who
play with Lady Luck and yet oppose having a casino here.
This is apparent from comparing the number who say they have ever
bought 4-D - 66 per cent - with the number who support the casino
idea, which is 53 per cent.
Among current forms of legalised betting, 4-D is the most popular
followed by Toto, soccer betting and horse-racing. As for visiting
casinos, 34 per cent have never done so and 55 per cent have never
gambled at one.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) yesterday said the
findings were useful feedback for its ongoing study.
Within the next few months, it plans to invite proposals from
potential investors keen to develop an integrated resort that
includes a casino.
This is to test the market and allow the ministry to assess the
merits of the proposals.
More details will be released later, it said, adding that the
Government has not made a decision on whether or not to go
ahead.
MTI also revealed that it had actively pursued ways to develop an
integrated resort without the casino component, but 'the private
sector has for various reasons decided not to develop such projects
here'.
This reflects the intense competition for investments in the
region, it said.
The Straits Times understands that one such project that fell
through involved theme park developer Disney.
