CASINO LAWS TO BE AMENDED
More steps to protect problem
gamblers
THE Government intends to tighten the laws governing casinos
here. This is to guard against potential social ills while ensuring
that the intergrated resorts (IRs) remain attractive tourist
destinations.
Among new provisions to be introduced is one that will
give the National Council on Problem Gambling the power to limit
the number of times a financially vulnerable patron can visit a
casino.
The aim is to have them curb their gambling behaviour
before they become financially distressed.
In a comprehensive public consultation paper, the
Government explained that as an extension of the existing casino
exclusion measures, families and individuals will also be empowered
to apply for a visit limit.
The council will also be given additional powers to deal
with problem gamblers.
Another amendment could see the casino operators being
slapped with penalties of up to 10 per cent of their total gross
gaming revenue, instead of the current maximum of $1 million,
should they be censured by the Casino Regulatory Authority.
There are also amendments that address casino crimes,
casino operations and the sustainability of the integrated resorts
as full-fledged tourism destinations, not just casinos with
frills.
The two integrated resorts here have been operating their
casinos for more than two years.
Resorts World Sentosa opened in early 2010 and Marina Bay
Sands opened a few months later.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office S.Iswaran, who is
also Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Trade
and Industry, said yesterday that the amendments had come after a
comprehensive review and were aimed at enhancing the current
legislation.
"The primary intent we have on the advent of the IRs in
Singapore is to ensure that we have a sustained economic benefit to
Singapore...We want to make sure that going forward , we have a
systematic process to ensure that continues to be the case," he
said.
The government is asking for comments and feedback on its
proposed amendments. Public consultation will start on Monday, July
9 and end on Aug 6.
Members of the public can assess the public consultation
document and draft bill at the Reach portal.
Feedback can be submitted to [email protected]
Local News watch, The New Paper, Saturday, July 7 2012, Pg 8
