SINGAPORE - The opening of casinos has not led to a spike in the incidence of crime, according to government agencies.
For 2010 and 2011, casino-related crime comprised less than 1 per cent of overall crime. Most cases were theft-related crimes, and other isolated cases of cheating, counterfeiting and forgery.
This is according to the latest government statement on the response to public feedback on proposed amendments to the Casino Control Amendment Bill.
The four-week long public consultation exercise on the draft ended on August 6. A total of 40 letters were received.
According to the statement, a majority of them were in favour of the Government’s proposed amendments to sharpen the casino regulations and to ensure that the Integrated Resorts (IRs) continue to contribute to Singapore’s tourism industry.
They also supported the Government’s move to protect financially vulnerable Singaporeans from the harm of casino gambling.
Respondents also raised concerns about non-casino gambling activities, the role of the individual and family in addressing gambling problems, how the IRs’ economic contributions ought to be assessed, and raising of the maximum financial penalty that could be imposed on the casino operators.
The Government will be studying the concerns and suggestions raised and finalise the amendments to the Casino Control Act before it is tabled in Parliament at the end of the year.
For 2010 and 2011, casino-related crime comprised less than 1 per cent of overall crime. Most cases were theft-related crimes, and other isolated cases of cheating, counterfeiting and forgery.
This is according to the latest government statement on the response to public feedback on proposed amendments to the Casino Control Amendment Bill.
The four-week long public consultation exercise on the draft ended on August 6. A total of 40 letters were received.
According to the statement, a majority of them were in favour of the Government’s proposed amendments to sharpen the casino regulations and to ensure that the Integrated Resorts (IRs) continue to contribute to Singapore’s tourism industry.
They also supported the Government’s move to protect financially vulnerable Singaporeans from the harm of casino gambling.
Respondents also raised concerns about non-casino gambling activities, the role of the individual and family in addressing gambling problems, how the IRs’ economic contributions ought to be assessed, and raising of the maximum financial penalty that could be imposed on the casino operators.
The Government will be studying the concerns and suggestions raised and finalise the amendments to the Casino Control Act before it is tabled in Parliament at the end of the year.
