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The
Straits Times, Editorial, 15 Nov 04
What
odds a 'safe' casino?
LETTERS we have
received on the subject of a casino have mostly spoken of the social
disruptions. Other media have been inundated with naysayers' visions
of family ruin and child neglect. Organised crime is also cited -
more vicious, more professional, very likely foreign-controlled to
boot.
This negative strand runs against the prevailing view that Asians
take to gambling naturally. This is said to be especially true of
those of Chinese origin. Horse racing revenues and Singapore Pools'
hefty volumes in numbers and football betting provide some proof.
Underground betting here, by the way, is said to be a bottomless goldmine
for international syndicates. Weekend golf, social mahjong and poker
are almost never without bets thrown in.
It could be that those who take a benign view of a casino, or gambling
in general, do not feel a need to make their views known. They suppose
the Government will proceed with a casino, as occasional remarks made
and the interest shown by global gaming companies strongly imply.
Now, we have the Tourism Board's international advisory panel giving
its considered view that a casino resort would be a requisite addition
to Singapore's touristic appeal. As panel members are picked for their
expertise in the leisure industry, their opinions will carry weight
when the Government makes a decision.
It will be no easy task deciding. The Government has to balance the
deeply-felt concerns of a sector of its citizens, against the unabashedly
business calculations of the Tourism Board's advisers, three-quarters
of whom happen to be foreigners.
A limited sampling by our research arm showed a statistical split
- 53 per cent for, 47 per cent against.
Should the state give more attention to its citizens or well-meaning
professionals with no stake here? This is a matter of some sensitivity.
We have said before that if a casino has to be built because it no
longer makes sense to keep one out, then have one. Our position takes
no account of the morality of gambling. Such determinations are best
left to one's good sense.
But the Government has to be absolutely clear about what workable
safeguards it can come up with to minimise dislocations and criminal
infiltration. This was its assurance given to the people when it floated
the idea for feedback.
We trust the foreign advisers had also conveyed to the Tourism Board
ideas on how to keep a casino experience wholesome - to the extent
this is possible. |
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