To discourage locals from visiting casinos, the government imposed an entry levy on Singaporeans and permanent residents, but this has not worked too well. In fact, locals today make up 30% of all casino gamblers.
Two years after their launch, Singapore’s two mega-casinos have succeeded in attracting - in the eyes of the host - the wrong customers, vulnerable Singaporeans.
In just a short time, they have proved economically successful, propelling Singapore to become the world’s second top casino city.
Ironically, the profits have failed to impress many citizens.
Last year the two resorts, Genting Singapore and Las Vegas Sands, which were designed principally to lure in foreign gamblers, attracted some 200,000 Singaporean (and permanent resident) gamblers. Full story
