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The
Straits Times, 25 Sep 04
S'poreans split evenly on casino
Survey finds 53% in favour of and 47% against having a casino, with
those opposed fearing social costs of gambling
By Lydia Lim
THE ongoing debate over whether Singapore should have its own casino
has the population split almost right down the middle. A Straits Times
(ST) survey carried out two weeks ago found that 53 per cent are in
favour of having a casino here, while 47 per cent oppose it.
Those in favour believe it will help the country attract more tourists,
generate revenue and create jobs. Those opposed are concerned about
the social costs. Nine in 10 of them believe a casino will lead to
gambling addiction growing here and causing more family-related problems,
while eight in 10 fear a casino will also result in more crime. Only
two-thirds of those who oppose a casino do so because they believe
gambling is immoral.
Public policy expert Ho Khai Leong said it is unusual for society
to be so evenly split on an issue. But the casino debate is unique
as it pits economic arguments against deeply-felt moral convictions
and social values, he said. Probably the only other issue in the past
that was so polarising was the debate over legalising abortion, he
added.
The ST survey is the first to gauge public sentiment since the casino
idea was first broached by the Government in March as part of plans
for a top-class resort on the Southern Islands, to draw the world's
rich and famous. Leaders of several religious groups have voiced their
opposition to the idea. But it had not been clear until now where
the population at large stands on the issue.
The survey by Singapore Press Holdings' research arm polled a representative
sample of 376 Singaporeans and permanent residents aged 20 and above.
It found that race is a significant factor, with Chinese the most
likely to want a casino here and Malays the least likely. Six in 10
Chinese want it as compared to only two in 10 Malays. Among Indians,
45 per cent are in favour. Men are also more likely than women to
support the idea, but other factors such as age, income and education
do not seem significant.
If there is a casino here, most of those polled - 68 per cent - want
entry for all adult Singaporeans. They disagree with a government
proposal to limit entry, possibly to tourists and higher-income Singaporeans,
as they do not want discrimination between rich and poor. They also
believe adult Singaporeans are mature enough to make their own decisions.
As for the 30 per cent who want entry restrictions, they believe the
poor need to be protected against gambling losses.
The survey findings also suggest that there are Singaporeans who play
with Lady Luck and yet oppose having a casino here. This is apparent
from comparing the number who say they have ever bought 4-D - 66 per
cent - with the number who support the casino idea, which is 53 per
cent. Among current forms of legalised betting, 4-D is the most popular
followed by Toto, soccer betting and horse-racing. As for visiting
casinos, 34 per cent have never done so and 55 per cent have never
gambled at one.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) yesterday said the findings
were useful feedback for its ongoing study. Within the next few months,
it plans to invite proposals from potential investors keen to develop
an integrated resort that includes a casino. This is to test the market
and allow the ministry to assess the merits of the proposals. More
details will be released later, it said, adding that the Government
has not made a decision on whether or not to go ahead.
MTI also revealed that it had actively pursued ways to develop an
integrated resort without the casino component, but 'the private sector
has for various reasons decided not to develop such projects here'.
This reflects the intense competition for investments in the region,
it said.
The Straits Times understands that one such project that fell through
involved theme park developer Disney. |
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