Last week there was a meeting in Singapore to discuss a proposed casino project with the Singapore Tourist Board. Over 100 possible developers, investors and operators attended the meeting and then went to see for themselves the two sites suggested by the government. Three of Singapore’s largest property developers, CapitaLand Ltd, City Developments Ltd and Keppel Land Ltd, were present, as well as representatives from casino operators Harrah’s Entertainment Inc, MGM Mirage, Kerzner International Ltd, Genting Bhd and Las Vegas Sands Corp.

At the moment only one casino project is under discussion in Singapore, and the sites named for the possible development of the casino resort are Sentosa Island in the south and Marina South close to the central business district. The two areas have advantages and disadvantages for a future operator, and those present at the meeting are doubtless pondering the choice.

Marina South has the advantage of being closer to the city. The Marina City Park stands on reclaimed land and was planned as the premier park for 21st century Singapore. Festivals of amazing diversity and numbers take place in the city over the year, celebrations for Hindus, Chinese, Muslims, Buddhists and Taoists. Around June every year there are the annual dragon boat races, where beautifully decorated boats with 24 oarsmen compete. The race commemorates the death of a famous poet who drowned himself to protest political corruption. In August last year there was the first SkyDive festival, which is to become an annual event and will take place again next August.

Apart from fine dining, there is plenty of entertainment in Marina South. Pubs, clubs, wine bars, cafés, and nightclubs abound, and there is a bowling alley, snooker parlours and cinemas. The Fountain of Wealth held the record for the world’s largest fountain, and is the most visited tourist destination in Singapore. Many of the popular hotels are situated in Marina South.

Sentosa Island was a fishing village that became a British Military fortress until 1967. Known as Pulau Blakang Mati (the island behind which lies death) its new name was chosen from public suggestions. Sentosa in the Malay language means Peace and Tranquillity. As a popular holiday resort it may be debateable how much peace and tranquillity now remains. After the Singapore government, in 1968, decided to develop the island for local visitors and foreign tourists, the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) was incorporated in September 1972 as a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Nowadays Sentosa boasts 3.2 km of white sand beach and is the only location in Singapore with beachfront accommodation. Secondary rainforest covers around 70% of the 500-hectare island that is home to monitor lizards, monkeys, peacocks and parrots. The resort provides guests with sea sports, golf, and family attractions including 2,500 marine animals at Underwater World Singapore, plus a range of other leisure and recreational facilities. Since 1972 private money to the tune of US$255 million has been invested in Sentosa Island, and over US$303 million in government funding.

The developers and casino companies that attended the meeting with the Tourist Board have been asked to present Requests for Concepts (RFC), to help the government weigh up the benefits of licensing a casino resort. A formal Request for Proposals (RFP) will only be made if the concepts produced present a compelling case for a casino resort. There is still some opposition to a casino in Singapore, and the government has laid down some stringent safeguards to limit problem gambling. The RFCs are due to be completed before the end of February, and last week’s visits to Sentosa and Marina South should have given the developers and operators plenty of food for thought. (E 01.10.2005

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