Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS), the integrated resorts (IR) to be located at Sentosa, had its first phase of opening up the attraction to the public last Wednesday. Four out of the six hotels to be located there, were opened. Reservations for the hotel rooms and amenities started on the previous week. The four hotels that have opened the door would be Crockfords Tower, Hotel Michael, Festive Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel Singapore.
RWS, which was built by Malaysia's Genting Bhd for a cost of S$6.6 billion. The four hotels consist of 1,340 rooms with a 7,300 seat ballroom, whereby the first event will be held by the end of January 2010. The IR also consists of the Universal Studios Singapore which is built based on the movie themes, Shrek and Madagascar.
Along with RWS, around April, Singapore is also expecting the opening of the other IR located at the Marina Bay area, which is called the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resorts (MBSIR). MBSIR would focus more on the casinos, where the first ever in Singapore would be located there. Moreover, three tall buildings being the five-star hotels would be topped with a one-hectare big sky garden.
Since the plan of building IR in Singapore started in 2006, many people have given different views and opinions about it, with social and economical views being the most. Many have opposed to the idea, however, the government has taken full responsibility for this project. This has also initiated the establishment of the Casino Regulatory Authority and National Council for Problem Gambling. Such government bodies and step up boards helps to regulate rules and regulations in regards with gambling and also helps individuals with their gambling habits.
In my view, even though I do not agree with the idea of casinos in Singapore, I still think that by having such help provided to the people of Singapore, would create social responsibility and awareness among the people. Furthermore, the opening of the IRs has also been delaying since the last quarter of 2009. However, with the partial opening of RWS, I am sure that it would create an influx of tourist arrivals and boost the economy in the upcoming months. Once the casinos are also fully operational, its also expected to increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by a percent. Such a move is also commendable with the nation's focus shifting from manufacturing to finance and tourism.
Personally, I am sharing a very pragmatic perspective in terms of criticism. Although, the government decided to have casinos in Singapore, I do not think that they have considered the cultural factors of the society. For example, in Singapore we have a large community of Malays and Muslims. In Islam, gambling is forbidden. However, with such an idea proposed, this is not helping in anyway to the Malay and Muslim community to discourage them from gambling. Even though, on one hand I disagree to the idea of casinos in Singapore in terms of religious perspective, on the other hand, I also support it in terms of economical perspective for the country.
The government did not shy away in their discussions about the opening of the IRs in Singapore.
ReplyDeleteOne has to note that extensive debates on weighing the pros and cons of setting these IRs took place before the final establishment of the IRs.
The government has provided an opportunity for us Singaporeans and even the tourists, so the onus is on us to not abuse the privilege and be matured gamblers.
Who needs to fly 22 hours away when "Vegas" has been brought closer to home?
Even they do not open the IR people would find ways for gambling,like what they say if there a will there a way. So why miss the opportunity of riding the wave. Sure, there maybe cons of having the IR here, but what in life does not have a tradeoff.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, kudos to the government for at least conducting a debate over the subject matter before making any decisions that could have led to a state of unhappiness among the religious groups. I'm sure Islam is not the only religion which forbids gambling. I personally am against gambling however, for the benefit of Singapore's economy, we have to compromise. Because even if the IR opens, I won't be one of those mad dashing to get inside it. At the end of the day, it is the people's choice whether to gamble or not to gamble.
ReplyDeleteThough I am a muslim and don't subscribe to the idea of gambling, but having a casino in Singapore would be an economically strategic move for Singapore. I also have the opinion that as much as it is forbidden in Islam to gamble, but that does not mean that with the very presence of it will encourage more Muslims to gamble. There will always be temptations everywhere but it is always up to the individual.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on the individual. How they want to have an approach to things. Economically it is great for the country, Culturally again i think it depends on individuals more than the norms or cultural ideas.
ReplyDeleteIf its a way to make money, the government would eventually be on board. I used to gamble while I was in Secondary school with the bookies as well as Singapore Pools(SP). Bookies would have games from around the world but sp would usually have the usual games, S league, EPL, Champions League but now we have the Japan League and even the German League to feed the hunger of these gambling addicts. Of course they will have ads promoting 'responsible gambling' and all but come on, if Singapore is making money wouldn't that make everyone happy?
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