Breaking: Resorts World at Sentosa awarded casino licence

[RonRon]

Posted: 06 February 2010 1602 hrs



SINGAPORE: The Resorts World at Sentosa Integrated Resort has been awarded its casino licence.

In a brief statement posted on its website, the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore said the licence was granted on Saturday.

Previously, Resorts World had said it's ready to start operating Singapore's first legal casino as soon as the government issued the gambling licence.

The other integrated resort by Marina Bay Sands is set to open in April after encountering construction delays.

So far, about 3,500 people with serious criminal records have been barred from the two casinos when they open.

In a statement on Friday night, the police said notices called the Commissioner of Police Exclusion Orders will be served on those with a history of crimes related to drugs, illegal moneylending, prostitution and secret societies, among other things.

It's the latest in a series of steps taken by the authorities to keep criminal elements out of the casinos opening soon. - CNA/vm

 

[johnny333]

So far, about 3,500 people with serious criminal records have been barred from the two casinos when they open.

Have they included Ho Ching

We all know how much she likes to gamble with other people's money

 

[myfoot123]

Bad news, our taxpayers monies are involved in recruiting poodles to look after this casino. Why should Singapore donate taxes to commercial setting by getting our limited poodles to jaga the place for fraud? Isn't it ironical to sing your policies and than so afraid of it later.

 

[Mdm Tang]

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http://www.cra.gov.sg/index.html



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Highlights




6 FEB 2010:

CASINO REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE ISSUES CASINO LICENCE

The Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore has issued a casino licence to Resorts World at Sentosa Pte. Ltd. on 6 Feb 2010. The casino operator must ensure that it remains suitable to manage and operate a casino in accordance to Section 45 of the Casino Control Act.

Posted: 06 February 2010 1602 hrs



SINGAPORE: The Resorts World at Sentosa Integrated Resort has been awarded its casino licence.

In a brief statement posted on its website, the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore said the licence was granted on Saturday.

Previously, Resorts World had said it's ready to start operating Singapore's first legal casino as soon as the government issued the gambling licence.

The other integrated resort by Marina Bay Sands is set to open in April after encountering construction delays.

So far, about 3,500 people with serious criminal records have been barred from the two casinos when they open.

In a statement on Friday night, the police said notices called the Commissioner of Police Exclusion Orders will be served on those with a history of crimes related to drugs, illegal moneylending, prostitution and secret societies, among other things.

It's the latest in a series of steps taken by the authorities to keep criminal elements out of the casinos opening soon. - CNA/vm

 

[Mdm Tang]

Resorts World at Sentosa awarded casino licenceBy Wang Eng Eng, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 06 February 2010 1602 hrs


Photos 1 of 1

Visitors on a tour around the integrated resort

Video

Resorts World at Sentosa awarded casino licence









SINGAPORE:


Resorts World at Sentosa has been awarded its casino licence. It is the first of Singapore's two integrated resorts to get the go ahead for its casino operations.

Although the opening date of the casino at Resort World has not been announced, preparations are in full swing.

Resorts World Sentosa chairman Lim Kok Thay said: "We are very happy to have received the casino licence. This was made possible by the dedicated team, consultants, contractors and government officials, especially the Casino Regulatory Authority, which worked tirelessly to set up the regulatory framework within a very agressive timeline."

Lunar New Year decorations have already been put up at the lobby of the casino.

Resorts World staff were in the midst of an orientation when the MediaCorp news team visited.

Although the doors remain shut, visitors are excited about the prospect the casino may be opening soon.

Some are hoping the casino will be open in time for the Lunar New Year which begins on February 14.

While foreigners do not have to pay the US$100 levy before entering the casino, locals will have to do so at this booth.

Before arriving at the booth, visitors to the casino will be segregated according to whether they are Singaporeans or overseas guests.

The S$6.6 billion integrated resort at Sentosa is opening in phases, starting with its hotels last month.

Many are also waiting for the theme park, Universal Studios Singapore to open.

Some of the staff at the resort have been busy testing out the amusement rides and more.

Andrea Teo, vice president, Entertainment, Resorts World Sentosa, said: "We are in full swing, getting ready for the theme park. We have been testing and commissioning the rides. Some of our people have been experiencing this - going from ride to ride to ride and having a very good time. And we have all been eating at restaurants, trying out the food at very good prices.

"We are at various percentages of finishing the different rides and resorts. But I would say that we are on an actually pretty fast track to completely everything. Our hotel opened on the January 20 and since then, we've had 90 per cent occupancy. Festive Hotel and Hard Rock have been fully booked. And for Chinese New Year, we are fully booked.”

And while casino staff are busy gearing up for the opening day, Singapore's Police have also been started serving the Exclusion Orders to those with a history of crimes such as those related to drugs and illegal moneylending.

So far, about 3,500 people with serious criminal records have been barred from the two casinos when they open.

The latest exclusion orders are on top of what the National Council on Problem Gambling has issued.

Some 28,000 undischarged bankrupts and those on public assistance have also been banned from entering casinos. - CNA/vm

 

[cooleo]

When are they going to set up an Anti-U-See Whore house?

 

[myfoot123]

NTU-see already a whore name. The members are whore, Lim Swee say the pimp, employers the clients. Otherwise he won't be urging his members to be cheaper, better and faster to satisfy the clients. If you look at the name closer, it is a CUNT house.

 

[SickSinkies]

Sinkees not welcomed , $100 tax for doing NS .

 

[Mdm Tang]

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Police Force (SPF) will start serving some 3,500 Exclusion Orders to those with serious criminal backgrounds from Saturday - to keep them out of the two casinos due to open at the two integrated resorts (IRs) - Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) and Marina Bay Sands (MBS).

In a statement on Friday night, the police said the exclusion orders are "broadly targeted at criminals who are involved in serious syndicated crimes or those with the propensity to operate criminal organisations, as well as those involved in illegal activities which will directly affect the crime-free gaming environment".

The statement came on the heels of a rise in the share prices for Genting Singapore earlier in the day. Genting Singapore, which owns RWS - the first IR to begin operations here - saw its shares gain 2.8 per cent on the Straits Times Index (STI), rising to $1.11.

Market reports had attributed the rise to "market chatter that the company might open its Universal Studios theme park at Resorts World Sentosa on Feb 11 and the casino a day after". When contacted, RWS spokesman Robin Goh said the IR had "no comment to make" beyond saying that it is "on track to open in the first quarter of 2010". Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Casino Regulatory Authority told MediaCorp it was still processing the casino licences for RWS and MBS.

RWS opened its four hotels on Jan 20, and will open its other attractions in phases, while MBS has said it will open in mid-April. Analysts say the move by the SPF to issue the Exclusion Orders could further raise public expectations that the opening of Singapore's first casino is imminent - and could happen before the Chinese New Year on Feb 14.

Known as the Commissioner of Police Exclusion Orders or CPEOs - these are different from the Exclusion Orders (EOs) issued by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). The EOs from the NCPG follow from applications by families to bar their loved ones from the casinos if they could prove to counsellors and a council-appointed committee that their family member has a serious gambling habit. Last month, individuals were also allowed to voluntarily bar themselves by applying directly to the NCPG.

However, under the CPEOs issued under the Casino Control Act, those who have committed serious criminal offences such as loan shark syndicate members, secret society members, money launderers, pimps and drug traffickers are targeted. The list of excluded persons - which is confidential - will be periodically reviewed and updated, added the police.

Anyone served the CPEO will not be allowed to enter, remain, or take part in any gaming, on any casino premises.

The penalty for contravening the Order is a fine of up to $10,000 or a jail term of up to 12 months or both.

Any winnings paid or are payable to the offender will also be forfeited.

The CPEOs, said the police, are aimed at keeping the gaming environment free from syndicated crime and vice activities.

Any excluded person who wishes to appeal against the EO can do so by writing to the Minister of Home Affairs.

Meanwhile, RWS announced on Friday that local songbird Stephanie Sun will perform at the IR's first concert by a solo artiste, which will be held on Feb 16.

Regarded as one of Singapore's most successful singers, Sun has sold over 10 million albums.

 

[Mdm Tang]

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) yesterday received its casino licence from the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore (CRA). --PHOTO: RESORT WORLD SENTOSA

RESORTS World Sentosa (RWS) yesterday received its casino licence from the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore (CRA).

A statement issued yesterday evening by RWS did not give the exact date for the casino's opening.

Its chairman, Mr Lim Kok Thay, said that RWS was 'happy to have received the casino licence'.

He lauded RWS' own team, as well as consultants, contractors and government officials, especially the CRA, 'which worked tirelessly to set up the regulatory framework within a very aggressive timeline'.

Asked by The Sunday Times, RWS spokesman Robin Goh also declined to give a date for the opening of its casino and the Universal Studios theme park - two key elements of its integrated resort (IR) - and would only say that a soft opening in the first quarter of this year was 'on track'.

Mr Goh also did not say if both would open at the same time, or if the theme park would come onstream first.

Read the full story in today's edition of The Sunday Times

 

[Watchman]

 

[jbsmith]

Welcome to the sin city. :p