In 2005, Singapore made a shocking announcement that changed the entertainment scene in South East Asia. The ban on casinos will be lifted along with the approval of 2 casino developments.
Since its independence in August 1965, Singapore has banned casinos in the country. But after 40 years, the ban has been lifted in an attempt to diversify its economy. The gaming market is huge in South East Asia. Plus, the effect on tourism is potentially big as well.
In this article, we will look through the history of Singapore’s first casino and Singapore’s second casino. Then we will also briefly discuss the most popular casino games.
Singapore’s First Casino: Resort World Sentosa
The Singapore’s 1st casino, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS Casino), is built and run by Genting Group from Malaysia. It officially opened its door on 14 February 2010. The opening ceremony was at 11.18am while the casino welcomes its first visitors at 12.18pm. Both are highly symbolic are lucky numbers to the Chinese.
The casino is part of a giant integrated resort. So there are many other tourist attractions surrounding it. Besides gambling, there are various activities to fill up any tourist’s itinerary. Such as multiple luxurious hotels, theme parks, clubs and even golf courses too.
All in all, this massive resort island will not only attract gamblers. But also various groups of tourists from around the world too.
Singapore’s Second Casino: Marina Bay Sands
The second casino, Marina Bay Sands (MBS Casino), opened two months later on 27 April 2010. This casino is built and run by Las Vegas Sands Corp. The casino and the hotel’s unique design have made it an iconic structure in Singapore.
Similarly to Resort World Sentosa, Marina Bay Sands is also strategically built in an integrated resort. There are numerous tourist attractions surrounding it. Such as the gardens by the bay, the merlion and the national museum.
The Singapore government strives hard to ensure that this project isn’t appealing to gamblers only. The objective is to poise Singapore as a top tourist destination too.
Related Post: Is online gambling banned in Singapore?
Singapore As A City Of Entertainment
Being one of the smallest countries in the world, Singapore could accidentally turn a lot of its citizens into problem gamblers. Hence, as a way to deter that, Singaporeans require an entry levy to visit those casinos.
Singapore is among the few countries that impose an entry levy on their citizens. There are 2 types of levy available. The day levy would cost S$150 per person. While the annual levy would cost S$3,000 per person. Once purchased, the levies cannot be refunded or transferred no matter what.
From the day of its inception, the levy has been increased once in 2020. This comes after the government approved the expansion of both casinos. Plus, the exclusivity period for both of those casinos was extended to 2030.
With a 50% hike, the increase was massive. From S$100 to S$150 for a day pass and S$2,000 to S$3,000 for an annual pass. This has successfully kept problem gambling at bay according to the government.
The Top 3 Most Popular Casino Games
The are many games offered in any casino Singapore. But there will be a few that will always be available no matter where you go. These are the people’s favourites and thus, a must-have in every casino:
Blackjack
Blackjack has come a long way to be gamblers’ favourite game. After all, it’s one of the few casino games where you can reduce the house edge. You can drastically improve the chances of winning. You just need enough experience and polished skill.
Blackjack is also really fun to play. Primarily because each player has a small influence on the game. So, with the right strategy and tactic, you can grow your bankroll with blackjack.
We highly advise those who want to master blackjack to learn the art of card counting. It is very effective at improving your chances of winning. So much so that card counting was banned in many casinos around the world before.
Roulette
Roulette seems difficult to win. After all, you’re betting on 36 numbers. That’s only 1 out of 36 chances of winning. Which is really low honestly. But somehow, roulette is offered in every single casino. Regardless of online or physical casinos, you’ll be bound to find roulette in them.
So, why is it so popular? Simply because there is a much easier betting option. Not many are aware, but you can bet on the outer table of baccarat. The outer table has only 3 bets; red or black, odd or even and big or small. All 3 have a 50% chance of winning.
That’s why roulette is very popular. It’s not difficult at all. Plus, very easy to understand even for beginners.
Baccarat
For those who love blackjack but want to play a more relaxing version of it, baccarat is the best choice. That is because baccarat has a lot in common with blackjack. Except that, the dealer will handle every step in baccarat.
As a player, you only bet on either player wins, banker wins or a tie. Then sit back and let the dealer manage it all. Even calculations and determining the winner are done by the dealer. You don’t need to do much besides collecting your winnings after each game.
Related Post: Is gambling at home illegal in Singapore?
Closing Thoughts
Singapore’s decision to uplift the ban on casinos truly surprised many. It shows Singapore’s willingness to adapt and stay ahead of time. This is very important to ensure the country continues to prosper.
But the government also recognize that it’s not always about wealth. They did not overlook the social problems that may come from changing old decisions. A few government bodies have been formed to oversee the gambling industry.
So far, it’s been more than 10 years since the casinos are open. And the government have managed to tightly regulate the gambling industry. More impressively, problem gambling has been kept minimal so far. This is despite the continuous expansion and growth of both casinos. All in all, the decision to uplift the ban has proven to be a wise choice.
So, what do you think of the “What was Singapore’s 1st casino?” article today, please share your feedback here.
