Singapore Premier: Government Divided Over Casinos

SINGAPORE – As reported by the Reuters: "A proposal to build a casino in Singapore has divided the government and is opposed by Lee Kuan Yew, the country's founding premier who holds the third most powerful post in the cabinet, state media reported late on Monday.

"Casino operators are lining up to invest after the government called for proposals for a resort-style casino, which Christian and Muslim leaders and other critics say would fuel crime and inflict social ills in one of Asia's safest societies.

"…'I am not giving secrets by telling you the cabinet is divided -- moralists, pragmatists, those who say, 'Look, the world is this way',' said the 81-year-old Lee, founder of the long-ruling People's Action Party and Singapore's first prime minister for 31 years.

"…Singapore has not given the final go-ahead on a casino but has asked for ideas by Feb. 28 on one project on the waterfront and another on the resort island of Sentosa…"

< Gaming News