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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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