Singapore is taking a gamble by opening its first casinos this year after a long-standing ban. 101 East asks: how will the gambling affect the modern city-state (report by Al Jazeera).


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9 Responses to “Singapore’s big bet”

  1. hansen 12 March 2010

    it is just a casino. what is all the fuss about? why do they always make it sound like every singaporean would end up becoming gambling addicts and lose their entire fortune?

    when the govt started allowing soap bars and bleech into singapore, do they worry that citizens will all start drinking bleech for breakfast and munch on soap bars for their lunch?

    illogical, irrational and unreasonable. plain stupid

    Reply
  2. hansen 12 March 2010

    yap wai ming speaks standard singapore english..noticeable singapore accent but standard good english. easy to understand and pleasant on the ears.

    goh meng seng has problems speaking english. you have to strain your ears and think about what he is trying to say because he has syntax, grammar and pronounciation problems

    the host speaks in a neutral accent that leans towards british english but is not british. a very nice accent. you cant tell where she is from, she could be from canada or australia or  singapore. her accent reminds me of lorraine hahn and anjali rai, almost the same accent.

    Reply
  3. New Era 12 March 2010

    Mar 12, 2010
    Charged with cash chips theft

    By Elena Chong

    AN UNEMPLOYED man was charged on Friday with stealing 10 pieces of 500 cash chips amounting to $5,000 from Resorts World Sentosa.
    Ooi Boon Huat, 56, is alleged to have stolen the chips at the casino at about 12.10pm on Wednesday.
    The case is believed to be the second investigated by the Casino Crime Investigation Branch of Criminal Investigation Department to be brought to court.
    Ooi has earlier been accused of two unrelated charges of drug taking and possession of offensive weapon.
    A pre-trial conference has been fixed on March 30.
    If convicted of theft, he can be jailed for up to three years or fined or jailed and fined.

    http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_501218.html

    Too many casino related crimes already.


    Reply
  4. mice is nice 12 March 2010

    is that why City Harvest is investing in Suntec? be nearby provide counselling services?

    dun gamble your money away, tithing is a wiser choice…

    Reply
  5. Incredulous 13 March 2010

    Fauziah Ibrahim……I like :-P
     
    On a more serious note;
    It’s about:
    1. The potential increased negative social problems like, addiction, prostitution, embezzlement, theft or robbery and cheating.
    2. The so call promise of job opportunities going to Singaporeans. Now we know its a huge fib.
    3. Too much staking on the IRs to lead Singapore’s growth. But if it fails, who will pick up the tab? The IRs will no doubt generate revenue in the short term as it is new. But in the long term, when people get tired or jaded by it; what is going to happen next?
    4. The lure of easy money at the Casinos, will lead to more people spending less quality time on work and family.
     
    Already we are seeing the negative social impact as highlighted by New Era Mar 12, 2010 22:53. And that is one Casino in about3 weeks. So what would the real impact when we have two casinos in the long term.

    Reply
  6. hansen 13 March 2010

    New Era,

    maybe it is because the newspapers are focusing on casino crime? i am sure there are many rapes, robberies and fights taking place daily.

    Reply
  7. small hum 13 March 2010

    I dont see smoking and drinking addiction as on the same level as gambling. One can’t get “full’ from gambling… its a mental issue which cannot be satiated.
    Besides, if my instincts are correct, the thrill of winning would need to be celebrated which may lead down the path of sex, drugs or alcohol. It depends on who is with “me” and what kind of services are quickly available. I hope the government ‘nanny’ the accessbilities of those.. Multiple monetory losses by the masses do not make up for one big story of a single person winning millions. Its a gambler’s hope which we all have.
    There will be man and women becoming rich and powerful with the ills and spoils of addiction.
    Society will definitly suffer with the casino around. LKY’s vision of a civilised society does not bode well with these two pleasure centers around.
    I personally do not want this casino so accessible here! Those brave enough will have to fight for its closure.  Now that we will have an addiction beast, you can be sure the people behind this gambling/vice business will become richer, more coordinated, then have their sights on infiltrating CRA or supporting an opposition party that wishes to ease the gambling/prositiution restrictions. Citizens naturally won’t support those BUT, if these people set up charities, bursaries, low cost supermarkets and food centers, it will be a dilema. As long as money continues to flow in to them, anything is possible.

    Reply
  8. Thank you for the feedback. Very much appreciated. More practice and learning is needed personally.
     
    Goh Meng Seng

    Reply
  9. greentea 15 March 2010

    Casino adds to GDP.

    This way they are assured of their 6 months GDP Bonus.

    Reply