Topic 4

Current Affairs Panel Discussion ()

Problem Gambling and the Casinos
Background:
It has been several months since the much-touted casinos opened in Singapore. In reality, both these casinos
are part of far larger integrated resorts (IRs), Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Sands, which are huge
complexes filled with hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and numerous other tourist attractions. However, it
is the casinos that have been the most prominent and controversial parts of the IRs.

The casinos represent a turn-around in Singapore’s long-established position that discourages any gambling
activity. In Singapore, betting on horse races and lotteries are very tightly regulated. Hence, the approval of
the casinos rose more than just a few eyebrows. Although it is still too early to say for certain, social
commentators have predicted a rise in problem gambling linked to the opening of the casinos. This is in spite
of the extensive measures the government has put in place to combat this social ill. On another front,
economic analysts foresee an uphill battle for the IRs to recoup their investments.

For the Panelists:

Panelists are to discuss whether the social cost of problem gambling, possibly linked to the opening of the
casinos, may possibly outweigh the economic benefits that the IRs can bring. They are to discuss whether
they think the IRs will be the financial success the government clearly thinks they will be. They are to refer
to the resources provided as well as their own research. In their responses, they are to clearly show whether
they think the casinos are, on the whole, good for Singapore or not.

Guiding Questions
• What are the economic benefits that the casinos can bring to Singapore?
• What are the social ills, namely problem gambling, that the casinos may cause?
• Are the measures taken by the government to combat problem gambling sufficient?
• Is there something “morally” wrong about gambling?
• Is it better to play it safe rather than be sorry, in which case it is better to not have casinos at all?
• Can one really be a purely “recreational gambler” without risking falling into gambling addiction?
Will human greed not trump any well-meaning willpower in the end?

Instructions for Panel Discussion

The eight panelists will adopt the roles detail on the following page. They must act and argue within the
boundaries of the position assigned to them. Their arguments must be logical and well-substantiated with
examples.

The rest of the class will role-play the general public. They are free to adopt any reasonable position on the
issue. When speaking, they must likewise present a rational, well thought-out argument.

The Debate Proceedings

The Chairman will first introduce the topic, and then open the discussion to the various panelists for 3-4
minutes each, and later the floor for the rest of the duration. Panelists can continue contributing and
responding to comments even during floor time
The Chairman has the option of concluding the debate with some personal remarks, offering a brief
summary. As always, it is sincerely hoped that panelists will stay in character throughout the discussion,
much as it may be tempting to jump in with different points.

A simple flow chart is presented below to illustrate the order of proceedings.

The Debate Motion

The issue of problem gambling is a serious one that requires much consideration. Panelists can debate the
following motion:

The social cost of having two casinos in Singapore far outweighs the possible economic benefits they
bring about.
Panelist roles

Panelist Point of View

He supports the government’s stand to build the IRs. He sees it as
Minister for Trade imperative for Singapore to take a share of the recreational gambling
and Industry market in the region. He sees that the IRs will boost Singapore’s
stagnating tourism industry.
He supports the government’s stand to build the casinos in the IRs, but is
primarily concerned with the problem of social gambling. He lays out
Minister for
measures that the government has taken to combat problem gambling,
Community
e.g. a $100 entrance fee levied on citizens and PRs, making anti-
Development, Youth
addiction counseling available in the casinos, allowing people to limit how
and Sports
much they will spend at the casinos. He thinks that these are sufficient for
the moment.
He sees the IRs as a tremendous economic opportunity for Singapore to
boost tourist arrivals and the tourism industry. He is very optimistic about
the prospects for the IRs. He cites how successful casinos in Macau and
Investor in the IRs
Genting have been with Singaporeans. He believes that problem
gambling is and will always be an issue, whether the casinos are built in
Singapore or not.
He sees the casinos as a great opportunity for Singapore to boost its
economy through the jobs created, and also thinks the casinos will be a
Recreational huge draw with locals. He believes that problem gambling is rarely an
gambler issue so long as, like him, one knows where to draw the line. He says
that so long as gambling is just a means of recreation and not seen as a
source of income, it is perfectly acceptable.

He is skeptical about the prospects of the IRs. He believes that

Financial
Singapore’s domestic market and international arrivals are insufficient to
commentator
bring in the earnings that are forecast.

He is aware of the arguments in favour of opening the casinos, but he

believes that it is better to play it safe rather than be sorry. He has
Recovered experienced how alluring gambling can be and how it tore his family apart
gambling addict and ruined his career. He thinks that the measures implemented to
control problem gambling are insufficient: he thinks the entrance fee
levied on Singaporeans should be raised to $1000.

This woman and her children have suffered greatly from her husband’s
habits. Because of his continuous gambling and the debts he has chalked
Wife of gambling
up, she has little money to raise the family children. She is unconcerned
addict
about the economic benefits that the casinos can bring. She is just upset
that gambling has ruined her life

He likes the prospective economic benefits that the casinos will bring,
and he thinks this was a shrewd move on the part of the government. On
the other hand, he is aware that problem gambling is a real problem and
Man on the street
he thinks it will only rise with the opening of the casinos. He thinks the
measures taken by the government and IRs are not enough to curb
excessive gambling. He thinks that stricter measures are necessary.
 Proceedings

Forum Chairman
Introduction Order of speech will be decided by
1-2 minutes Chairman

Minister Minister for Investor

for Trade Community, in the Recreational
and Youth and IRs Gambler
Industry Sports

Wife of
Financial Recovering Man in the
Gambling
Commentator Gambling Streets
Addict
Addict

Forum Chairman
summarizes
salient points

The chair opens

the discussion to
the floor

The chair monitors the discussion from the audience, representing the general
public.

Chairman and observers sum up

Speech by Minister for Health on the Integrated Resort
19 Apr 2005
By Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for Health
Venue: Parliament

Mr Speaker, Sir

For many days, I agonised over this issue, whether to allow casinos or to maintain the ban.

This is not the first time I have had to face this question.

Dead Against Casino

For 7 years, as Permanent Secretary of MTI, I had taken a clear stand against casinos. The
Singapore Tourism Board pushed for this proposal periodically. Each time, I would object to it. I
told them not to go for "easy options", but to think hard about how we could be special and still
bring in the tourists without a casino. They tried: Haw Par Villa, Volcano Land, remaking Sentosa
and when it did not work, further remaking. Meanwhile, our market share in tourism continued to
shrink.

After I left MTI, I had to face this issue again during the Economic Review Committee's
deliberations. I chaired the Services Sub-Committee. Mr Wee Ee Chao, as Chairman of STB and
the Tourism Working Group, strongly recommended that we allow casinos in Singapore. This time
round, he was backed by a strong chorus of private entrepreneurs, both local and foreign.

I discouraged him. When his Working Group finally submitted its recommendations to my Sub-
Committee, I was quietly pleased that casinos did not feature in the report.

My reasons for objecting to casinos are similar to those already put up by many Singaporeans who
had spoken against it. So I won't repeat them.

Change of Mind

What finally changed my mind was the response to MTI's Request for Concept. I was struck by
the quality of the proposals, the strong interest expressed by these prospective investors and their
multi-billion-dollar bids. The economic benefit is huge and we cannot ignore the many, much
needed, jobs that will be created for Singaporeans.

I particularly noted that they were prepared for more than one casino in Singapore. They are not
demanding any casino monopoly. They are confident that the rising Asian market is large enough
for more than one casino here.

It is not possible for two multi-billion dollar casinos to survive in our tiny domestic market. It means
that they are confident of drawing in a large number of foreign gamblers to make their huge
investments viable.

What does this mean? It means that while they are keen to set up in Singapore, they are likely to
set up elsewhere in our neighbourhood if we say no to them. Whatever our decision, they are
going to be here, in our backyard. It means that world-class casino resorts in Phuket, Bangkok
and perhaps even Johor, springing up in the near future, are a distinct possibility.

Social Ills Not Avoidable

So even if we do not allow casinos here, the social problems brought about by casinos will be with
us. I would have still gone for the status quo, if we can be certain that our neighbours will also
maintain the status quo. But I will not bet on this. Alternatively, if we can effectively isolate
ourselves from the emerging regional casinos, then I will still go for the status quo. Unfortunately,
with easy and inexpensive access to these popular tourist destinations of Singaporeans, saying no
to casinos here cannot isolate us from the social ills of gambling. Hundreds of Singaporeans are
already travelling to Genting and Batam and cruising to nowhere every day. In reality the casinos
are already available today. Except now we have absolutely no control of these casinos.

It is this realisation which changed my mind about casinos.

If casino gambling by Singaporeans and the associated social ills cannot be avoided, then better
that we have some influence over the operators, than to leave the situation completely to the
mercy of the casinos in other countries. And we can exert influence only if the casinos are in
Singapore, within our jurisdiction.

Exerting Influence

By legalizing casino gaming in Singapore, we can impose the necessary social safeguards on the
casino operators. Yesterday, Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has outlined the social safeguards.
They are more stringent than in other jurisdictions. This is reassuring to me.

Now that the Government has decided to lift the ban on casinos, on my part, my Ministry will step
up our programme that deals with problem gambling, especially pathological gambling.

Pathological Gambling

Pathological gambling, more commonly known as gambling addiction, is a serious mental health
disorder. Patients become increasingly preoccupied with gambling and need to bet more
frequently and with larger stakes. They become restless and irritable when attempts are made to
stop them from gambling, some sorts of withdrawal symptoms. The result is a progressive
increase in gambling activity over time, in spite of the harm caused to his or her personal and
family life.

It may be difficult for non-gamblers to understand this affliction, so let me share a few descriptions
which some former addicts and their relatives have shared with our psychiatrists:

"I feel as though I am hypnotised when playing jackpot. It helps me to relieve stress. Also, I have
a group of friends at the gaming room and we are very supportive of each other."

"My father used to gamble away the children's milk money. So our family used to eat one egg
broken into broth, and served with rice."

"I can't understand why I keep gambling. I always lose. Once I pay my creditors back, I return to
gambling... I can't understand it."

We have all read the tragic path of Mr Chia Teck Leng whose pathological gambling led him to
criminal acts and finally into Changi Prison. While his is an extreme case, there are many other
cases, of lesser degree, but with equally devastating consequences to themselves and their
families.

In most countries, some 2 to 4% of the people develop gambling problems, while between 1 and
2.5% may become pathological gamblers. The latest MCYS study suggests a similar extent of
incidence here.

Community Addictions Management Programme

To deal with this problem, the Institute of Mental Health runs a Community Addictions
Management Programme (CAMP). It is the main centre for addiction treatment, training and public
education in Singapore.

CAMP is not narrowly focused on gambling addiction. It also treats addiction to substances such
as alcohol and drugs. But many addictions pertain to gambling addictions.

It offers a range of clinical services, which include treatment, counseling and support for recovery.
Last year, we saw about 100 patients for gambling addiction. They receive treatment under the
care of a multidisciplinary team that includes psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, social
workers and nurses. 12 of the professional staff are trained and certified as Gambling Addiction
Counsellors, in accordance to international standards. CAMP has a distinguished panel of
international expert advisors.

Asia has lagged behind North America in the treatment and research of problem gambling.
Somehow, this has traditionally been neglected, despite the general observation that Asians seem
particularly predisposed to gambling.

If the casino operators are correct about the huge appetite for casino gambling among Asians, it
would mean a need for several major treatment centres in this region to serve the large number of
addicts.

We have a modest set up in CAMP. So I told IMH to step up its capabilities and acquire new
expertise. Let's not be half-hearted about it.

Benchmark Against the Best

I asked IMH to benchmark itself against the best in the world. In the US, the state of Oregon is
recognised as a leader in the field of problem gambling services. Its strategy incorporates
prevention, outreach and a comprehensive network of local treatment programmes. In Canada,
the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto is its leading addiction and mental health
hospital, with community locations throughout the province of Ontario. It combines cutting-edge
treatment with strong community support, education and prevention programmes.

These are world-class benchmarks which we should strive towards. In particular, we should study
the peculiarity of the Asian addicts. Let's aim to be the among the top treatment centres in Asia.

CAMP will be enhanced to develop such capabilities. We cannot achieve this overnight, but we
should progressively work towards this target.

Priority Areas

Tentatively, we will focus on four key priority areas.

First, a strong focus on multi-disciplinary treatment, with clinical practices based on evidence-
based research.

As a one-stop tertiary treatment centre, we will provide the full range of services, including
screening, assessment, individual and group therapy, structured relapse prevention, family therapy
services as well as legal, credit and financial counselling, and employment advisory services.

Second, a strong focus on prevention programmes to avoid or reduce the problems of gambling.
One emphasis is in early detection and intervention, so that early gambling addiction can be
nipped in the bud.

We will work with MCYS to raise public awareness on unhealthy gambling behaviour, through
mass media, seminars and public forums.

Third, we will invest in research and training. Training programmes for family service centres,
teachers and other outreach partners on screening and intervention skills will be expanded.
Research will be conducted on best treatment practices, taking into account factors that are unique
to Asians.

Fourth, the Centre will work closely with our community partners such as the voluntary welfare
organisations and strengthen community action against problem gambling.

To encourage such community involvement, we will provide convenient access for addicted
individuals and their families to seek help and continue treatment.

Mr Speaker, Sir

I am against gambling. I don't encourage gambling. But there will always be gamblers and there
are millions of them here in our region.

When the integrated resorts are set up, Singaporeans may visit them. But my advice is for them to
stay away from the 5% gambling spot. By all means go and watch the giant whale that Minister
Lim Hng Kiang talked about yesterday. But do not get near the "whales" that Chia Teck Leng
wrote about, or follow them. Remember Chia Teck Leng's advice: you cannot win against
casinos. That is why a tiny 5% can cross-subsidise the rest of the integrated resort, and still yield
fat margins for the investors.

We hope not too many Singaporeans succumb to pathological gambling. By regulating casinos
here, it is my hope that we can then have a better handle over this undesirable activity.
Meanwhile, my Ministry will step up our efforts in managing gambling addictions and raise this to a
higher level of competence.

Taken from: http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/speeches.aspx?id=1948

NCPG announces safeguards for problem gamblers
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 January 2010 1828 hrs

SINGAPORE: When Singapore's casinos open, unless they pay a hefty S$100,000 deposit, citizens and permanent
residents (PRs) can only use cash to pay for gaming chips. Credit or debit cards will not be accepted.

This is one of several deterrent measures introduced by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) to safeguard
locals patronising the casinos at Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands.

If they choose, Singaporeans and PRs can also set limits on how much they are willing to lose. The way this will work at
Resorts World Sentosa is that the customer can decide how much cash to carry with him and deposit the rest in a safety
locker. There is no minimum limit, and the NCPG said its so-called "pre-commitment system" is entirely voluntary.

As a safeguard, there will not be any ATM machines inside the casinos. At Resorts World Sentosa, for example, cash
machines are located outside.

The safeguards are on top of the entry levy for permanent residents and Singaporeans and the exclusion orders.

Before entering the casinos at the integrated resorts, citizens and PRs have to pay either a S$100 daily levy or a S$2,000
annual fee. This can be paid for either online or at the casinos.

The S$100 levy allows you multiple entries into the casinos within a 24-hour period, which means even if you have run
out of chips, you can quite easily withdraw money to buy more. So how effective a deterrent is this?

The problem gambling council hopes the very act of having to step out of the casinos to draw cash will make a difference.

"To an extent, it's a little bit of inconvenience on his part, but it allows him to take that break to think about the fact that
he's going to take out more money and to spend in the casino," said Mildred Tan, chairperson of NCPG's public
communications sub-committee.

Information on problem gambling will also be prominently displayed in the casinos, and staff will be trained to detect and
deal with problem gambling cases.

Resorts World Sentosa's assistant director for communications, Robin Goh, said: "Some of these signs may include
anxiety shown by the gamblers at the table; they may show high-stress levels, bad temper, for example.

"What we can do is offer them a drink, ask them to take a break away from the game, and if they need any counselling,
it's available on-site."

The NCPG acknowledges that safeguards can only go so far. A more effective deterrent, perhaps, is knowing that - the
house always wins.

Taken from: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1034011/1/.html

With Casinos Set to Open, Singapore Rolls The Dice
By Neel Chowdhury / Singapore Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010

Then Las Vegas Sands threw a party last year to celebrate a milestone
in the construction of its gambling resort on the shores of Singapore's
Marina Bay, it was a lavish affair. A large white tent was erected on the
site, where hundreds of reporters gathered to watch CEO Sheldon
Adelson celebrate the roof being laid on the resort's three interlinked
towers. As bongo drums pounded, Adelson, 76, turned to the architect
of the project to thank him, but not before joking, "Couldn't you have
designed it to look as good without the cost?"

Just how much money has been poured in — and how daunting the
challenge of recouping that money will be — are becoming clear as the
first of Singapore's long-awaited casinos prepares to throw open its
doors this month. Citigroup estimates that Resorts World Sentosa,
slated to open in mid-February and which will include six hotels and a
Universal Studios theme park, will have run a construction tab of
Figure 1 Resorts World Sentosa roughly $4.5 billion. Adelson says his showpiece project on Marina
Bay, boasting Singapore's largest hotel and one of Asia's biggest convention spaces, will cost roughly $5.5 billion by the time it's
expected to open around April.

Even by the opulent standards of the gaming world, analysts say these are giant sums. "The Singapore casinos are by far the most
expensive ones in the region," says Gabriel Chan, head of Asian gaming research for Credit Suisse, who points out that an average
casino in Macau costs roughly half as much. The Venetian in Las Vegas, completed by Adelson more than a decade ago, cost
roughly $1.5 billion — less than a third of his current Singapore project.

Keen to repeat the success of Macau, which over the last decade has transformed itself from a sleepy gambling backwater into an
entertainment destination, the Singapore government awarded the bids to build the two casino resorts to Las Vegas Sands and
Genting in 2006. The hefty $10-billion price tag for the two developments underscore the vast ambitions of Singapore's leaders
seeking to similarly transform the island's image from that of a staid, buttoned-up society into a fun, adventurous city. And while that
may be fine for foreign tourists, analysts say the high fee to be imposed on Singaporeans who visit the casinos reflects the city-
state's underlying unease at the thought of its conservative citizens turning into hard-partying gamblers — and making it difficult for
operators to start profiting off their massive investments.

For Genting, operator of Resorts World Sentosa, recouping its $4.5 billion investment won't be easy. Even though it will be one of
two exclusive casino operators, unlike Macau or Las Vegas, where there is fierce competition within a much larger pool, analysts
and investors have set their initial expectations for Sentosa's gaming revenues "far too high," says Citigroup analyst Dominic Noel-
Johnson. To meet Citigroup's relatively conservative 2011 gaming revenue estimate of $1.2 billion for Resorts World Sentosa —
more than a third less than the consensus of other brokerage houses — every single foreign tourist expected to come to the island
that year would have to visit either one of Singapore's two integrated resorts. In addition to that unlikely scenario, every adult 21
and over in Singaporean would have to go to one of the casinos five times a year, and every adult resident of neighboring
Malaysian state Johor would have to go twice every year.

Is all that likely? No, Noel-Johnson says, even though such robust expectations are clearly reflected in the high price of Genting
Singapore's stock, currently the most expensive gaming stock in the world. According to Noel-Johnson, Genting Singapore is
trading at an estimated price-to-earnings ratio of over 60 for the current fiscal year. Even though he believes Resorts World Sentosa
has the potential to be "a long-term success," Citigroup has slapped a "sell" rating on the stock.

The unusually high $70 daily casino entrance fee, or $1400 for an annual pass, being imposed on local visitors will be one of the
casinos biggest obstacles. "The entry levy is meant to signal that gambling is an expense, not a means to make a living," explains
Lim Hock San, Chairman of the National Council on Problem Gambling. "It discourages impulse gambling." Though betting on
horse races is allowed in Singapore, the government strictly controls other forms of gambling, one of the reasons it plans to allow
only two casinos to operate on the small island. The families of gambling addicts can also apply for their loved ones to be excluded
from the upcoming casinos, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling. The council, which will provide the casinos a
list of those who are barred, has already excluded 29,000 people. Drawing on past government surveys, it estimates the size of
probable "pathological" gamblers at about 1.1% to 2.2% of Singapore's adult population, similar to those found in Macau and Hong
Kong.

Such fees may help discourage gambling addicts from throwing their salaries away. But they are also likely to be a hurdle in
building up the number of local gamblers and will likely force casino operators to depend more on foreign "high-rollers" to turn a
profit. That strategy has its risks, analysts say. Noel-Johnson, for instance, points out that 72% of visitors to Genting's resort in the
Malaysian highlands are local "day-trippers," and more than half the visitors to Macau's casinos are gamblers from Hong Kong and
Guangdong province who bet with limited cash. "If you look at the successful gaming markets in Asia, they have a dependable local
mass market," he says. "If you are inhibiting Singaporeans from visiting the casinos, you are handicapping yourself."

Resorts World Sentosa executives, for their part, say they were aware of the local entrance fees before they bid for the casino.
They counter that they have a diverse range of entertainment offerings, including the Universal Studios theme park as well as fine
dining and hotels, and so are not solely reliant on gaming. (Local families who elect to only visit Universal Studios and not gamble,
for instance, would not have to pay the casino entrance fee.) "Resorts World is on track to reach its target of 13 million visitors in its
first year of operations," says Robin Goh, Assistant Director of Communications at Resorts World Sentosa. Executives from
Adelson's Marina Bay Sands resort echo the sentiment. "While the casino is an important component of our integrated resort, our
convention center, entertainment, celebrity chef restaurants and luxury shopping mall will bring tens of thousands of people daily,"
says Thomas Arasi, CEO of Marina Bay Sands. "Las Vegas Sands has opened and run integrated resorts in Las Vegas and
Macau, and we think this is a successful business model that will also work in Singapore."

The two Singapore casinos, to be sure, have significant long-term advantages. Unlike the crowded gaming markets of Macau and
Las Vegas, they will be operating as a duopoly with no immediate fear of further competition. The gambling tax rates will be
significantly lower in Singapore than they are in Macau. And, most important, the casinos sit on perhaps two of the most coveted
pieces of real estate in the country, enhancing their appeal to both locals and foreigners. Marina Bay Sands is minutes away from
the city's downtown offices on a fringe of sea-facing land overlooking the ship-sprinkled waters of the Singapore Strait.

While the resorts may initially struggle to recoup their costs, Singapore, nevertheless, is likely to see the benefit sooner. Casinos
will likely help create tens of thousands of new jobs for Singaporeans, as well as entice tourists from across Asia. "The Singapore
government sees the casinos as a means to an end," explains Credit Suisse's Chan. "They want visitors to come to Singapore and
spend money on entertainment and hotels and shopping, not purely on gambling." Citigroup expects the casinos to help push up
visitor arrivals to 12.8 million by the end of 2011, roughly a third higher than where they stand today. Says Noel-Johnson, "The
biggest winner will be the Singapore government because of the spillover effect on hotels and tourism." Even as the odds appear
daunting for its casinos, like any prudent gambler, Singapore has carefully hedged its bets.

Taken from: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1963306,00.html

Singapore counts on casino resorts to draw tourists
Updated 6/15/2010 8:31 AM |

By Kathy Chu, USA TODAY

SINGAPORE — Stale cigarette smoke wafts through the air as Singaporeans

cluster around card tables in an exclusive residents-only gambling parlor.

The parlor, called the Orchid Room, was opened by Resorts World Sentosa to
accommodate Singaporeans who couldn't find a spot to gamble in the packed
casino. It's a visible sign of this island nation's enormous appetite for gambling.

Yet, industry watchers say if this trend continues, it could create social problems
and mitigate Singapore's expected economic gains from the new Resorts World
Figure 2 The gaming area represents less than
Sentosa and its sophisticated competitor, Marina Bay Sands.
3% of the 6.3 million-square-foot Marina Bay
Sands resort. Easy access means many
Singapore residents are visiting. "Everyone's been asking the same question: Will Singapore (casinos) be
successful?" says Aaron Fischer, head of consumer and gaming research at CLSA
Asia-Pacific Markets. But the more relevant question appears to be, "What happens if they're too successful?"

Singapore, in lifting a 40-year ban against gambling in 2005, has followed an increasingly familiar path by Asian nations that's made
the region into the gaming capital of the world. Macau has overtaken Las Vegas as the largest gambling market. Singapore is
hoping to be even more successful than Macau in some respects.

"Without natural resources, tourism is as important to Singapore as the financial sector," says Jonathan Galaviz, an independent
leisure and tourism analyst in Las Vegas. "Casinos represent the largest private-sector investment Singapore has had in its history."

The city state — which has long struggled with its reputation as a pit stop for long-haul flights rather than as the ultimate vacation
destination — is betting on the international tourism and revenue that resort-goers can bring to Singapore. Experts expect the newly
created gaming and resorts industry to eventually boost Singapore's GDP by at least half a percentage point annually because of
millions of new visitors.

Other attractions

Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa are careful to stress that while gambling is a big revenue driver, the resorts also
have other attractions.

Family-friendly shopping malls, an amusement park, museums and convention centers have made these venues more palatable to
critics, says Eugene Tan, an assistant law professor at Singapore Management University School of Law.

At Marina Bay Sands, operated by U.S.-based Las Vegas Sands, the gaming area represents less than 3% of the 6.3 million-
square-foot resort. Meanwhile, the casino at Resorts World Sentosa takes up about 3% of the 5.3 million-square-foot space.

Singapore "didn't authorize a casino, (it) authorized a game-changing economic event" with the billion-dollar initiatives, says
Thomas Arasi, CEO of Marina Bay Sands.

The integrated resorts could help Singapore to achieve its goal of becoming a global city with first-class dining and entertainment
amenities, says Gillian Koh, a senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore's Institute of Policy Studies.

Some residents unsettled

Still, in a nation that prides itself on law and order, where the sale of chewing gum is tightly regulated and spitting is prohibited, it's
not surprising that the casinos unsettle some residents.

"Allowing casino gaming was akin to the government being perceived as being soft on the social ills associated with gambling," Tan
says.

Fischer expects gambling addictions and related social problems to rise as a result of the casinos. "What the Singapore government
has done is given the local population very easy access to gaming," because of the proximity of the venues to downtown
Singapore, he says.

Already, gambling addictions tracked by Singapore's Institute of Mental Health are on the rise. The number of patients seen for
gambling addictions is on track to quadruple in the latest fiscal year from the 88 cases recorded in the 12 months ended March 31,
2007.
Besides addiction, gambling can "bring about ruined lives, bankruptcies, marital breakdowns and even suicides," warns Kay Tham
Lim, general secretary of the National Council of Churches, who opposes the casinos.

The government has created an exclusion list that problem gamblers can put themselves on to be denied entrance to the casinos.
In addition, Singaporeans and permanent residents are required to pay an entry fee equivalent to $70 U.S.

The fee, though, isn't deterring such locals as Eric Kan, 45, who typically gambles many times more than that amount. "It's
expensive, but there are still thousands of Singaporeans gambling," says Kan.

Economic toll?

Besides the social toll, residents' gambling could also take an economic toll on Singapore.

If too many locals go to the casinos, there's a danger they will gamble away money that could have been spent at Singaporean
retailers, says Sanjay Mathur, a senior economist at RBS Global Banking & Markets. Also, locals don't spend as much on hotels,
food and beverages as tourists, he adds.

It's too early to tell whether residents' enthusiasm for the casinos will last. "Never extrapolate an initial spend on an event into a
long-term trend," Mathur says. "The initial enthusiasm will be much more than what it would be two years down the road."

But Robin Goh, spokesman for Resorts World Sentosa, says the lasting results of the casino resorts are jobs they'll create and the
attention they'll bring to the city.

Koon Heng Lim, a taxi driver, welcomes this trend: "For me personally, it's good, because we'll have more passengers."

Taken from: http://www.usatoday.com/money/world/2010-06-15-singaporecasinos15_ST_N.htm

You can bet on it: Gambling addiction on the rise here
by Ng Jing Yng

05:55 AM Jul 15, 2010

SINGAPORE - The number of gambling addiction cases here has

more than tripled according to the latest statistics released by the
National Addictions Management Service (Nams) yesterday.

Their clinic, which is part of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH),

has seen the number of gambling addicts jump from 5 per cent in
2007 to 17 per cent last year.

Dr Thomas Lee, acting chief of Nams, said most gamblers tend to

be males in their 40s. The common forms of gambling are soccer
betting, lotteries and casino-related games, he said.

Figure 3 NAMS Clinic at IMH Said Dr Lee: "With the opening of the casinos and heightened
public awareness, there may be more people who are aware they
have a gambling problem and will then come forward to seek treatment."

At the official launch of the clinic yesterday, Nams clinical director, Associate Prof Wong Kim Eng, said it was
too soon to link the rise to the newly opened casinos as gambling addiction takes time to develop.

Nams sees some 2,000 patients a year. Statistics from the last three years showed half of their patients were
seen for drug addiction and about 30 per cent were for alcohol addiction. The clinic also sees other
behavioural problems like cyber and sex addictions. These account for fewer than 5 per cent of all the cases
seen.

Focusing mainly on outpatient treatment, the clinic offers support ranging from medication to counselling and
group therapy sessions for both patients and their family members.

A 49-year-old part-time KTV jockey, Mr Allan Tan (not his real name) is one who had benefited after six
months of treatment with Nams. "There is always a constant urge to gamble and I will lose all rationality
when I have the cash to gamble ... I knew I had to seek help," said Mr Tan who had spent his monthly salary
of more than $1,000 in a matter of days and stole his wife's money and valuables.

Armed with educational certificates from short courses he had taken, Mr Tan added that he is now looking
forward to having a new job and moving on to a new chapter in his life.

Taken from: http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100715-0000086/You-can-bet-on-it--

Gambling-addiction-on-the-rise-here