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The Business Times, 21 Apr 04

Casino likely to be run by private firm, says Hng Kiang
Totalisator Board has no intention to expand operations
By Chuang Peck Ming

A PRIVATE company will probably run the casino that the government is mulling over on one of Singapore's southern islands - if the go-ahead for the casino is given.

'The casino ought to be run by a private operator,' Second Finance Minister Lim Hng Kiang told Parliament yesterday. Replying to Amy Khor (Hong Kah) during the debate on the Singapore Totalisator Board (Amendment) Bill, he said the Totalisator Board 'has no intention to expand its operations'.

The passing of the Bill yesterday paved the way for the Totalisator Board to acquire Singapore Pools from Temasek Holdings, the Singapore investment company. Singapore Pools is given the right by the government to conduct 4D, Toto, Singapore Sweep and football betting. The Totalisator Board itself operates 4D and betting on horse races. With the acquisition of Singapore Pools, the board will hold the right to operate all legalised gaming activities in Singapore.

If a private company is allowed to run the proposed casino, then Singapore will for the first time open its gaming industry to private investors.

Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, told Parliament on Monday the government will decide on the casino in the next six to nine months.

Yesterday, Dr Khor said the government's ownership of the lottery and horserace-betting franchises has raised 'delicious' speculation that it may also run or own part of the planned casino. A government stake 'could well address some of the public concerns voiced over the moral and social consequences of having a casino in Singapore', she said.

Mr Lim did not say if the government would take a stake in any privately run casino. But Dr Balakrishnan said on Monday that although the casino is aimed at tourists, the government is very mindful of the likely social fallout on Singaporeans.

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