Singapore Gambles Low Crime Rate With Casino Push

[swampthing]

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-23/singapore-gambles-low-crime-rate-with-casino-push.html

Singapore’s casinos have attracted more than three million visitors, created thousands of jobs and spurred spending at hotels, restaurants and shopping malls. They’re also keeping the courts busy.

Since the opening of Resorts World Sentosa in February and Marina Bay Sands in April, the island-state has seen cases of fraud, embezzlement and identity theft. Some offenders were fined or sent to prison, three European suspects have jumped bail and two Africans have been charged for cheating the casinos out of about S$140,000 ($102,000).
...
Singapore citizens and permanent residents must pay a S$100 daily levy to enter the casinos, or S$2,000 for an annual pass, in a government effort to deter those who can’t afford to gamble. The casinos had collected about S$70 million in entrance fees as of May 10, Vivian Balakrishnan, the minister for community development, youth and sports, said last month.

Unemployed Malvin Lim, 39, says he’s been gambling more than 20 times since they opened, betting as much as S$3,000 each time. He’s lost about S$8,000 at baccarat.

“I’m using my savings to gamble and so far I haven’t had to borrow any money to play,” Lim said.

The National Council on Problem Gambling, set up in 2005, said calls to its helpline have increased “significantly” since Resorts World opened and more people have asked to be added to a list preventing them from entering the casinos.

V. Radakrishnan, a 27-year-old interior designer for offices and pubs, said he’s spent S$13,000 at Resorts World Sentosa’s jackpot machines and baccarat tables. While he’s won about S$6,000 at the slot machines, he said he has yet to “conquer” the baccarat tables.

“It’s just for fun and I don’t mind losing,” Radakrishnan said as he entered the Marina Bay Sands. “I look at it as my contribution to the economy. The government should be happy.”

The cheating cases are so everyday now...

 

[ninelives]

and one time at band camp...

 

[eyes]

:flush::flush::flush:

 

[ManWearPants]

have the triads and prostitution rings arrived yet?

 

[allenleonhart]

have the triads and prostitution rings arrived yet?

human trade?

 

[ManWearPants]

human trade?

the associated vices that comes with all gambling venues. How long can the white remains white, the black separated from the white? Singapore will become the shooting location of Infernal Affairs 4.

 

[allenleonhart]

well. i see an increase in reports of stealing robbing etc near casino areas...

then again, it could be a perceived increase cause the news are just reporting more. numbers could still be the same.

 

[qwerty628]

Government is pretty much controlling with an iron fist on things so i doubt things can go out of hand. As long as its managed properly, it should be ok. Look at melbourne australia, crown casino has been open for a very long time and yet the city is still doing fine

 

[eyes]

More good years ahead

:cheers: