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Jan 9, 2010
Will casino open before IR is fully operational?
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IN 2005, when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong explained the decision to develop the integrated resorts (IRs), he emphasised that these developments would have all kinds of amenities beyond a casino.
The Government was convinced it had to overturn its longstanding policy on casinos after it saw the high quality of proposals and considered the economic benefits - investments, jobs and boost to economy - the IRs would bring about.
The Government would probably have decided differently had the proposals been less attractive.
PM Lee also assured the public that each casino would take up just 3 to 5 per cent of the total floor area and the Government would implement safeguards to limit the social impact of gambling.
Four years later, as we wait for the IRs to open, the challenge is for the Government and investors to fulfil the promise made to the people.
Recently, when I attended an event at Resorts World Sentosa, I noticed a huge plot of undeveloped land beside the new buildings. According to reports, that plot will house the biggest oceanarium in the world, among other exciting amenities that would form the IR that won the bid.
With the IR slated to open soon - though almost certainly not in its entirety - the question is whether the casino will be allowed to operate before the IR is fully operational.
I would like to ask the Government when the IRs will be completed in their entirety. Would the Government allow the investors to operate the casinos before they delivered what they promised when they won the bid?
What safeguards has the Government put in place to ensure that the investors would develop the IRs in their entirety?
Tan Siow Wee
Will casino open before IR is fully operational?
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
IN 2005, when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong explained the decision to develop the integrated resorts (IRs), he emphasised that these developments would have all kinds of amenities beyond a casino.
The Government was convinced it had to overturn its longstanding policy on casinos after it saw the high quality of proposals and considered the economic benefits - investments, jobs and boost to economy - the IRs would bring about.
The Government would probably have decided differently had the proposals been less attractive.
PM Lee also assured the public that each casino would take up just 3 to 5 per cent of the total floor area and the Government would implement safeguards to limit the social impact of gambling.
Four years later, as we wait for the IRs to open, the challenge is for the Government and investors to fulfil the promise made to the people.
Recently, when I attended an event at Resorts World Sentosa, I noticed a huge plot of undeveloped land beside the new buildings. According to reports, that plot will house the biggest oceanarium in the world, among other exciting amenities that would form the IR that won the bid.
With the IR slated to open soon - though almost certainly not in its entirety - the question is whether the casino will be allowed to operate before the IR is fully operational.
I would like to ask the Government when the IRs will be completed in their entirety. Would the Government allow the investors to operate the casinos before they delivered what they promised when they won the bid?
What safeguards has the Government put in place to ensure that the investors would develop the IRs in their entirety?
Tan Siow Wee