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News Asia, 28 Nov 04
Singapore to seek casino proposals
despite strong opposition
SINGAPORE : Singapore is moving closer to a final decision on a proposed
casino complex aimed at boosting tourism in the city-state despite
an outcry from civic and religious groups opposed to the project.
The government is preparing to ask potential investors to submit concept
papers, which will be used to fine-tune the terms of a formal bidding
process known as a request for proposals, officials told AFP.
Meanwhile, industry sources said Las Vegas casino giants and other
potential investors are expected to team up with Singapore developers,
including government-linked companies, to bid for one of the largest
properties to be built here in years. The project has been estimated
to cost anywhere between 300 million to 2.0 billion US dollars, and
Singapore has made it clear any such venture would have to be an "iconic"
addition to the cityscape, not "a little pokey gambling den" tucked
away somewhere.
Two key sites are being eyed by investors: the resort island of Sentosa
and Marina South, a reclaimed area bordering the financial district.
A government website set up to gather public feedback has posted Internet
links to casino resorts like the Atlantis at Paradise Island in the
Bahamas and the Bellagio in Las Vegas to show what kind of project
is being considered.
A spokesman for Singapore's ministry of trade and industry maintained
no decision has been made on whether to go ahead with a "distinctive
world-class integrated resort which could include a casino component."
"We will be requesting potential investors to submit concept proposals
in a few weeks' time. These concepts will help us refine various parameters
before we launch the formal request for proposals," the spokesman
said.
Critics are afraid they may now be fighting a losing battle after
signals Singapore will press ahead and compete with Asia-Pacific casino
players like Macau, the Philippines, Australia, Malaysia and Cambodia.
"More likely than not, the project will move forward," said Jonathan
Galaviz, a casino industry analyst with Las Vegas-based Galaviz Ong
and Co.
Muslim and Christian religious organizations have declared opposition
to the project, which has also triggered rare dissent within the ruling
People's Action Party (PAP), in power for 45 years now.
Foreigners might find the opposition to a casino perplexing in a gambling-mad
country where the government rakes in 800 million US dollars a year
-- or 2.2 million dollars per day -- in duties from strictly regulated
horse racing, lotteries and sports betting. Singaporeans, who enjoy
a per capita income of about 23,000 US dollars, bet billions of dollars
per year, legally or illegally, and are regular customers in Asian,
Australian and US casinos.
But critics fear a local casino complex operating around the clock
would open the floodgates to binge gambling and create more punting
addicts, whose ranks are already growing in the island nation of four
million people.
There are proposals to shut out poorer Singaporeans, carry out credit
checks and impose caps on how much punters can lose at the casino.
But potential investors fear access limits could undermine the project
since casinos depend on constant customer traffic to support not only
the gaming section but the food, beverage and entertainment businesses
as well.
Some Singaporeans see the project as nothing less than a betrayal
of the country's basic values and carefully nurtured image as a family-friendly
and socially disciplined island. Joanna Koh-Hoe, vice president of
the social group Focus on the Family Singapore, said opponents will
continue campaigning against the project until a final decision is
declared by the government. "A casino glorifies gambling. When you
have a casino with the government fully endorsing it, that changes
the perception of what gambling is all about," said Koe-Hoe. Locating
a casino within an entertainment complex will also send contradictory
signals to young Singaporeans, she said.
The trade and industry ministry said the government is "consulting
widely to get views and feedback." "No decision has been made yet.
A decision will only be made after studying the concept proposals
and carefully evaluating the various economic, social and security
issues," said the ministry spokesman. |
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