| |
AFP,
5 May 04
S'pore casino plans spark rare public debate
SINGAPORE (AFP) - The Singapore government's move towards legalising
casinos has generated much excitement within the international gaming
industry, but sparked rare community and political dissent in the
tightly controlled city-state.
The government announced in March it was considering allowing a casino
to be built on its Sentosa tourist resort island in an effort to boost
tourism. Although the government has yet to give the project the green
light and say a decision might still be nine months away, ministers
have made strong public statements in recent weeks in favour of setting
up the casino.
The head of gaming and wagering research at ABN Amro in Australia,
Sean Monaghan, told AFP the global casino industry had been paying
close attention to developments in Singapore. "Every gambling company
that I have spoken to would be interested in participating in Singapore
-- every one of them," Monaghan said. "If the regulatory structure
is competitive and if the government is serious about establishing
a casino industry in Singapore, it could be very, very, very successful."
But the issue has sparked a vigorous debate in Singapore, which is
normally better known for its population's consistent acquiescence
to the ruling People's Action Party's agenda.
At least five government MPs spoke out in parliament last month against
the plan, with many warning legalising casinos would have dire social
consequences. "I believe that Singapore can open up as a society without
opening the door to gambling and the problems it brings," said Irene
Ng, a government MP who is one of the more vocal opponents of the
casino plan. "The revenue that may be generated will not be worth
it. Anyway, since when has gambling become an indicator of social
liberalisation and individual freedom? For those addicted, it is a
shackle and a trap," she told AFP.
Gan Kim Yong is another government MP concerned about the prospect
of a casino opening in Singapore. "While there have been legalised
gambling activities here such as horse racing and lottery, the accessibility
and frequency have always been somewhat limited. The casino is different
in that it is accessible at any time," Gan told AFP. "It may also
give the impression that the government is relaxing its policy on
gambling. The end result is that more people may get into gambling.
This is not desirable as it may lead to more people facing financial
crisis, family problems, etc."
The government has acknowledged the grass-roots concerns and said
one option would be to bar middle-class and poor Singaporeans from
the casino, targetting it only at local high-flyers and foreigners.
But this too has generated frustration among locals, some of whom
feel the government gives preferential treatment to the nation's army
of more than one million foreign workers.
"The feedback from the average Singaporean is negative. They're not
very happy about the idea that if (casinos are to be legalised), by
some regulations they will be excluded from it," another government
MP, S. Iswaran, told AFP.
ABN Amro's Monaghan also said a decision to exclude Singaporeans from
the casino could backfire, saying one reason global industry players
are keen on investing in Singapore is because of the locals. "(Singapore)
has a wealthy local population that loves to gamble, and it is located
in the heart of a region full of people that also like to gamble,"
he said.
Industry analyst Kelvin Tan from Manila-based Sinorex Holdings told
AFP a casino was becoming an essential part of all Asian nations'
strategies to attract tourists and business delegates. "The government
wants to bring in new investment to Sentosa, but foreign investors
won't invest unless it is in a lucrative business like gaming," Tan
said. "Sentosa will be planned along the line of Las Vegas, a first
class convention and entertainment centre. I think what the government
has realised is that if it doesn't come up with something it will
lose convention business to Macau."
But MP Gan disagreed, saying there were other ways of attracting tourists.
"I do not think that the casino is an essential element of the tourism
industry," he said. "For example, can we attract a major international
theme park such as the Universal Studio to Sentosa? Can we convert
an island into a holiday beach resort like Phuket?" |
|
