According to figures released at a parliamentary debate in Singapore, since the first casino opened in February this year there have been over one million visits by local gamblers despite the S$100 entrance fee. Last month the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) announced that by the end of June 1,546 self-exclusion applications had been made, 1,360 received after the first casino opened. There had also been 123 orders issued on family exclusion applications.

Last week Resorts World Sentosa agreed to suspend its free bus service to the integrated resort from surrounding residential areas after government concern that this contravened regulations preventing marketing to citizens and permanent residents of Singapore. The Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Vivian Balakrishnan, responded to questions saying, “When the Government decided to allow casinos as part of the Integrated Resorts, the key objective was to enhance Singapore’s attractiveness as a tourist destination. We made it clear that the casinos were primarily to attract additional tourists from abroad. However, we would not exclude locals entirely from the casinos, unlike some other countries. Instead, we imposed advertising restrictions and a comprehensive set of social safeguards.”

The Ministry investigated the bus shuttle services provided by both Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. Marina Bay Sands was offering a paid premium service at 12 pick-up points covering the CBD and Orchard areas. It charged premium fares but these were redeemable at food and beverage outlets, some of which were in the casino. RWS provided free shuttle bus services at 19 pick-up points, most of which were in the heartlands and the Central Business District (CBD) areas. They were clearly not part of the public transport network and operated very long hours, up to 10.30pm on weeknights and up to 2.30am on weekends and the eves of public holidays. These late hours meant that most of the facilities at the RWS would be closed, except for the casino.

The pattern of casino promotional activities and the expanding network of bus services to the heartlands and central business district led to a decision to order an immediate stop to the bus services offered by both IRs. Both IRs will now only be allowed to provide transport for passengers from specific tourist-linked destinations which are listed in the Casino Control (Advertising) Regulations and only with prior approval from the CRA.

Balakrishnan told Parliament: “Our action conveys a clear signal to both IR operators to confine promotional efforts for the casinos to tourists only. We will not allow any promotions aimed at Singaporeans, especially in our heartlands. The IR operators have been reminded that they must comply strictly with our rules against casino advertising to locals. These rules will be tightened as necessary in the light of experience.” (E-09.15.10)

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