MBS, RWS fined for breaching social safeguard requirements

[General Veers]

MBS, RWS fined for breaching social safeguard requirements

Posted: 06 February 2012 1924 hrs​

SINGAPORE : The Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore (CRA) has fined Singapore's two casino operators for breaching social safeguard requirements.

Offences include allowing Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents to enter the casino without valid entry levies or with expired levies, as well as allowing persons on exclusion orders and minors (persons under the age of 21) to enter the casino.

Marina Bay Sands (MBS) was fined S$255,000, while Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) was imposed financial penalties of S$130,000.

The casino regulator said the financial penalties were imposed on the casino operators for breaching regulations under the Casino Control Act during the period 28 October 2010 to 30 April 2011, and 15 August 2010 to 30 April 2011 respectively.

MBS had let in 14 Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents without valid entry levies, while RWS let in five.

MBS had also allowed two Singaporeans and Permanent Residents with expired entry levies to remain in the casino, while RWS did so with three persons.

Separately, MBS let in six persons on exclusion orders, and RWS let in one.

MBS was also fined for letting in two minors.

RWS was fined for letting in six minors and was also separately censured for five cases of similar breaches.

Chief executive of the CRA, Lau Peet Meng, said the operators need to improve their entry systems and processes, exercise more diligence in carrying out their checks, and comply fully with the laws and regulations.

He said: "These social safeguards are put in place to mitigate the casino's potential impact on vulnerable persons and to ring fence the casinos from potential criminal influence. Hence, we are taking tough disciplinary action against the casino operators for the cases where they have failed to show due care in complying with our requirements to prevent minors and excluded persons from entering the casinos, and to ensure that entry levies are duly paid.

"The operators will need to improve their entry systems and processes, exercise more diligence in carrying out their checks, and comply fully with our laws and regulations. CRA will not hesitate to take firm action against the operators should such incidents recur."

In response, RWS said it takes these social safeguard lapses seriously and have reinforced security personnel and checks at the casino entrance.

A spokesman said RWS is committed to continuously reviewing its entry systems and processes with the view of improving detection procedures.

Separately, an MBS spokesperson told Channel NewsAsia that "it is Marina Bay Sands' top priority to comply with all regulatory requirements in Singapore and MBS endeavours to do so at all times".

This is the first case of disciplinary action taken since rules were tightened in November to ensure casinos here do not target the domestic market.

A study on the social impact of casinos here is expected to be released soon.

- CNA/ms

 

[hokkien]

these few who they let in must be big player.