Singapore
Government Press Release
Media Relations
Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts,
MITA
Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369
Tel:
6837-9666
JOINT PRESS
STATEMENT
Social safeguards for Integrated Resort with casino gaming
The Government of Singapore is considering the
development of an Integrated Resort (IR). This is envisaged to be an iconic
lifestyle development with a comprehensive range of world-class amenities which
may include hotels, convention facilities, retail and dining, entertainment
shows, themed attractions and a casino. The strategic objective is to broaden
our leisure and entertainment options to enhance Singapore’s
reputation as a premium “must-visit” destination for leisure and business
visitors.
Social Safeguards
Social safeguards would be put in place if the IR
contains a casino gaming component1. These social safeguards aim to
address problem gambling and to mitigate potential impact on our families,
social values and work ethos.
The social safeguards include a minimum age
requirement, membership system for Singapore residents, self-exclusion
programs, guidelines on credit extension, facility to
allow setting of voluntary loss limits, advertising guidelines and patron
education. The details are in Annex.
A robust and stringent regulatory regime will be
developed in Singapore. Similar to those imposed in leading global gaming
jurisdictions, a set of strict international regulatory standards such as
measures against money laundering, illegal money-lending, licensing and
screening of operators and employees will be imposed. This is also a key
consideration for potential investors.
Request for Concepts
The Government of Singapore is inviting potential
investors to submit their development concepts and investment proposals for an
IR. The Request for Concepts (“RFC”) will allow potential investors to provide
more information on the development concepts, investment size, and feasibility
of the conditions and requirements imposed. This will assist
the Government in making a decision on whether to proceed with the IR
development. The key conditions
and requirements in the RFC are described in Annex. Potential investors will have up to end February to submit
their concepts. A formal Request for Proposals (“RFP”) will be called only if
the concepts received are compelling.
All investors who are interested in
developing an IR in Singapore are invited to respond to the RFC. Only those who
have responded to the RFC will be subsequently invited for any call of RFP. Potential investors can obtain the RFC package from:
Singapore Tourism Board
Tourism Court
Singapore 247729
E-mail: IR@stb.com.sg
MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH AND SPORTS
[1] The IR will have a compelling mix of
non-gaming attractions, with casino gaming revenues as a minority component of
total IR revenues. It is expected that international patrons,
instead of local residents, will contribute a larger proportion of total gaming
revenues.
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Annex
KEY CONDITIONS
AND REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE REQUEST
FOR CONCEPTS
Location
1.
The two possible sites for the Integrated Resort are
at the Marina Bayfront (at the Downtown at Marina Bay) and Sentosa. Potential
investors may provide additional concepts or feedback on any other suitable
sites in Singapore.
2.
The development of the IR should dovetail with the
planned development and surroundings of the site and contribute to the buzz of
activities around the location. It is envisaged that an IR at the Marina Bayfront will be modern
and contemporary in style, appropriate to the prime downtown location and
complement the modern image of Singapore as a business and financial hub. An IR
at Sentosa will complement the tropical island characteristics and take into
consideration the flora, natural terrain and marine coastal features of the
site.
Social Safeguards
3. The
following social safeguards would be imposed for casino gaming (they do not
apply to the non-gaming components):
a.
Minimum Age. Admission
to the casino would be restricted to persons aged 21 years and above.
b.
Admission by Membership. Admission to the casino
for Singapore residents (i.e. citizens and permanent residents) would be by
membership only. They can either obtain a day membership of S$100 per person or
annual membership of S$2,000 per person.
c.
Exclusion. The following facilities will be implemented:
i.
A self-exclusion facility,
which allows voluntary application by a person to exclude himself from the
casino.
ii.
A facility for close family
members to exclude persons with gambling problems from the casino.
iii.
Prohibit casino employees from
gambling in the casino.
d.
Control of Credit. Credit may not be extended by
the casino to Singapore residents, with the exception of premium players.
e.
Voluntary Loss Limits. The casino must propose and
implement a system to allow Singapore residents to voluntarily specify loss
limits (e.g. through the use of smart cards).
f.
Prohibition on Advertising. Advertisements and
marketing promotions with reference to the casino or casino gambling in the
local mass media will be prohibited.
g.
Patron Education on Gambling and Problem Gambling. The casino must prominently display information on problem gambling and
help services. Information on the rules of games and odds of winning must also
be displayed. The casino shall also train casino staff about problem gambling
and its detection, and how to deal with casino patrons whose behaviour clearly
suggests he is at risk of excessive or problem gambling.
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