CRA is prepared to combat crime in IRs
The Casino Regulatory Authority, or CRA, is ready to combat
crime and other social problems when the two Integrated Resorts
open their doors in the near future.
It has been working with the other local agencies, especially
the Home Team to meet possible challenges in such areas, said its
Chairman, Richard Magnus,
CRA has also tied up with its more experienced international
counterparts from countries such as the United States and Australia
to develop its mastery in regulating gaming centres.
Singapore's first Integrated Resort, the Marina Bay Sands will
be opening its doors later this year.
And in 2010, the republic will witness the launch of its second
IR, Resorts World at Sentosa.
Speaking at CRA's inaugural workplan seminar, Mr Magnus said, to
shape the policies and regulations that the two attractions have to
adhere to, the authority will set up a new Casino Licensing
Application System.
This technology, the first of its kind to be used by a casino
regulator, will be ready by the first half of this year.
"Technology is used to minimise the hassle and tedium of filling
out the voluminous Personal History Declaration Form to achieve the
efficiency for both the regulator and the operator, a pro-business
initiative without compromising on security."
Mr Magnus added, over the past three years, CRA has been
building a core team of officers with the required skills to
regulate the casinos well.
They'll import their knowledge to their newer colleagues to
hasten the steep learning process.
"A comprehensive and intensive training preparation plan has
also been specially developed to train and prepare our officers
over the next six months to regulate the two casinos."
CRA also finalised the Technical Standards for Electronic Gaming
Machines or EGMs earlier this year.
"EGMs deployed in our casinos must be fair, secure, reliable and
auditable. In the casino industry, IT uses and application are a
core nerve of the operations. Over the next few months, there will
be many more regulations and standards which we will be
publishing."
Mr Magnus said, the authority has ramped up its recruitment
efforts and already employs more than 70 people.
This is well past the halfway mark of the full staff strength it
aims to achieve before the opening of the casinos.
--938Live