MPs voice concerns over casinos -- only on their Facebook wall

[Rogue Trader]

Grace Fu voices concern over effects of casinos

By Ng Jing Yng, TODAY | Posted: 29 July 2011 0715 hrs​

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SINGAPORE: A day after Marina Bay Sands (MBS) reported its strongest quarterly performance since its opening last year, Senior Minister of State (Information, Communications and the Arts and Environment and Water Resources) Grace Fu voiced her concern.

Writing on her Facebook page on Thursday, Ms Fu said: "While I acknowledge the contribution of IRs to our economy, I am concern(ed) about the social effects."

Ms Fu also expressed her concern over the rising number of advertisements by moneylenders offering "quick loan/fast cash", in Chinese dailies Shin Min and Wanbao as well as The New Paper.

On Wednesday, Mr Sheldon Adelson, chief executive of Las Vegas Sands - MBS' parent company - also declared that MBS is "on its way to becoming the most profitable casino-resort ever".

He had added: "Nobody can convince me that we've even touched the area of saturation of the market. I think Singapore's going to continue to grow and grow and grow."

On Mr Adelson's comments, Joo Chiat MP Charles Chong noted: "If MBS is planning to expand its non-gambling facilities, that is fine. But if it is looking to enlarge its casinos, that will be a little bit of a concern."

On Tuesday, the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) expressed worries over the spike in calls it has received about loan sharks and gambling problems.

Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ang Hin Kee noted that casinos have created benefits such as jobs and economic growth but he reiterated that management of the social ills should not just be "outsourced" to agencies.

"The operator and economic agencies also need to be part of the equation," he said.

Mr Chong added that if statistics show more Singaporeans entering the casinos, the authorities could consider raising the S$100 entry levy. - TODAY

 

[HTOLAS]

It's a clever move. If it turns out that they have overstepped the party line, they can always blame 'Denise He'.

 

[Rogue Trader]

Paid $15k a month to post their opinions about social issues on a Facebook wall? Shiok..