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Aug 30, 2010
Leave gambling to foreigners
<!-- by line --> By Elgin Toh
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SINGAPOREANS would be 'prudent' to let foreigners do the gambling at the casinos in the two new integrated resorts (IRs). Such a move will be a 'sure-win' situation, as taxes levied on gambling would boost government coffers, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday in Chinese at the National Day Rally.
During his recent visits to the IRs, he noticed many Singaporeans trying their hand at the gaming tables, the Prime Minister said. Recalled Mr Lee, with a laugh: 'One even came up to me and shook my hand, saying, 'I am your constituent. I hope you'll bring me good luck.' ' On a more serious note, PM Lee said he hoped these Singaporeans were only in casinos to 'satisfy their curiosities and seek a little excitement'.
He urged them not to forget their 'proper jobs'. 'The prudent thing to do is to leave the punting games and slot machines to foreign tourists. That is the only sure- win policy for us, because whether they win or lose, they will generate gambling taxes... which Singaporeans can share in.'
Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.
