Singapore May Call for Casino Proposals Soon

SINGAPORE – As reported by the Singapore Straits Times: "The government may soon ask private sector players to come forward with proposals on how to develop the island's first casino project - but they must be clear on the broad concept already decided.

"'We are still studying the issue, but what we have decided so far is we are not going to dismiss the idea completely and we are prepared to go to the private sector and ask for a request for proposals,' Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang said yesterday at a dialogue session with residents of Bishan-Toa Payoh North.

"But the blueprint of the matter has already been decided - any kind of casino built here will be based on an integrated resort model where the casino makes up 30-50 per cent of the revenue and not an exclusive high-end club or pure gambling station.

"..He conclusively ruled out having very exclusive private casinos like Monte Carlo in Europe because they 'will not add much benefit to our economy'. Singapore is also not interested in standalone casinos such as those in Genting Highlands, Macau or Australia where gambling makes up 80-90 per cent of the revenue…"

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