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The
Straits Times, 30 Dec 04
Decision
on casino 'will take time'
SINGAPORE has yet to decide whether to allow gaming facilities or
a casino to be present in an integrated resort, said Senior Minister
of State for Trade and Industry Vivian Balakrishnan at a press conference
yesterday. Below are excerpts of what he told reporters.
On public opinion, which had some 1,200 people writing in to the
Trade and Industry Ministry with their feedback.
'I think this is a topic which has aroused considerable public interest
and many people who have written in have expressed their views candidly
and with deep conviction. 'At the national level I think Singapore
is moving its discussion of national issues up one notch.'
On the benefits of a casino, which some economists say will add
$500 million to Singapore's gross domestic product.
'We will wait for the plans to be submitted and this will take two
months or so. At that stage, we will evaluate their concepts, decide
whether it is worth pursuing, or whether we will close this round.
'So that's where we are right now. It is a request for concept plans,
it is a statement of minimum social safeguards, and it is to enable
us later on to make decisions on the basis of hard data and specific
plans, not to make decisions on the basis of assumptions and suppositions
and sometimes ill-conceived ideas.'
On when the Government will finally decide. The proposal was first
floated in Parliament in March. Then in May, Dr Balakrishnan led a
delegation to Las Vegas to study casino operations there. And in his
maiden National Day Rally speech in August, Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong urged Singaporeans to consider the possibility of having a casino
and containing the social ills.
'We will take time to study the concepts carefully. It will take quite
some time. We will not be rushed into it.'
On banning locals, which is what the government of the Bahamas
imposed on the operators of the four casinos in the country.
'It is not possible to abolish gambling. It is better to regulate
and tax it. The vast majority are not predisposed to developing problem
gambling. The social safeguards should thus not be a blanket ban on
all local participation.'
On whether or not investors, who have previously indicated that
curbing access will dampen interest, will take to the restrictions.
'We will not allow the presence of a casino to erode our work ethic,
social values and international reputation. If investors say they
cannot operate under these constraints, fine by me.'
On the daily and annual membership fees for Singaporeans and permanent
residents
'It is a government-imposed levy which we fully intend to collect.
It's not so much the exact amount that is important, but we are sending
a clear and unambiguous message that if you choose to go to a casino,
this is not a means to make a living. 'In fact, before you even get
your chance to put your first chip on the table, we are going to collect
money from you.' |
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