THE STRAITS TIMES
THE number of Singaporeans visiting the two local casinos is declining gradually – after higher-than-expected attendance in the past year since they opened, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan disclosed on Saturday.
This indicates that the novelty factor is ‘wearing off’, he said.
Meanwhile, his ministry is closely monitoring die-hard casino-goers, and may implement more safeguards to curb their entry into casinos, if needed.
Dr Balakrishnan was speaking at an annual forum for contributors to Reach, the Government’s feedback portal. He was joined by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Reach chairman Amy Khor.
Questions on the casinos and problem gambling dominated the 11/2 -hour forum, which was attended by about 150 people.
A university student questioned the effectiveness of the $100 daily entry levy in keeping Singaporeans out. Between April and November last year, $130 million in levies were collected. Last June, Marina Bay Sands said that Singaporeans comprised a third of the 25,000 punters who visited daily since its opening in April.
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