SINGAPORE : The Casino Regulatory Authority of
Singapore (CRA) has fined Singapore's two casino operators for
breaching social safeguard requirements - when they let in people
without valid entry levies, persons on exclusion orders and minors
(persons under the age of 21).
Marina Bay Sands (MBS) was fined S$255,000, while
Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) was imposed financial penalties of
S$130,000.
The casino regulator said the financial penalties
were imposed on the casino operators for breaching regulations
under the Casino Control Act during the period 28 October 2010 to
30 April 2011, and 15 August 2010 to 30 April 2011
respectively.
MBS had let in 14 persons without valid entry levies, while RWS let
in five.
MBS had also allowed two persons with expired entry levies to
remain in the casino, while RWS did so with three persons.
Separately, MBS let in six persons on exclusion orders, and RWS let
in one.
MBS was also censured for letting in two minors.
RWS was fined for letting in six minors and was also separately
censured for five cases of similar breaches.
Chief executive of the CRA, Lau Peet Meng, said the operators need
to improve their entry systems and processes, exercise more
diligence in carrying out their checks, and comply fully with the
laws and regulations.
He said: "These social safeguards are put in place to mitigate the
casino's potential impact on vulnerable persons and to ring fence
the casinos from potential criminal influence. Hence, we are taking
tough disciplinary action against the casino operators for the
cases where they have failed to show due care in complying with our
requirements to prevent minors and excluded persons from entering
the casinos, and to ensure that entry levies are duly paid.
"The operators will need to improve their entry systems and
processes, exercise more diligence in carrying out their checks,
and comply fully with our laws and regulations. CRA will not
hesitate to take firm action against the operators should such
incidents recur."
- CNA/ms
