Get an overview of the city’s gambling landscape, exploring casinos, betting options, and regulations. Discover how the local scene caters to both casual and serious players.
An Overview of the City’s Gambling Landscape: How Many Casinos Are There In Singapore?
Singapore has become a global gaming hub thanks to the opening of two massive integrated casino resorts in 2010.
But with casino gambling only legalized in 2005, how many casino properties exist in Singapore today? What options are available to visitors and residents seeking to play in the country?
An Overview of Casinos in Singapore
Currently, only two licensed casino complexes operate in Singapore:
Marina Bay Sands
This iconic property on Marina Bay holds 2,500 rooms, a hotel tower reaching 57 stories, convention space, entertainment venues, shops, restaurants, an infinity pool, a museum, and other amenities.
But the centerpiece is the sprawling casino taking up 15,000 square meters on one floor. It offers 600 table games and 1,500 slot machines catering to mass market and VIP gamblers.
Resorts World Sentosa
This resort on Sentosa Island holds 1,600 rooms across six hotels, Universal Studios Singapore theme park, a water park, aquarium, and more entertainment facilities.
The casino occupies 15,000 square meters over two levels. Offerings include 500 table games, 1,250 slot machines, and exclusive high limit VIP clubs.
Outside these two massive integrated resorts, no other legal casinos operate in Singapore today. Various private member clubs have limited gaming, but no other pure casinos exist.
The History of Legalized Gambling in Singapore
Singapore long held strict bans against casino gambling within its borders. But in 2005, the government reversed course.
It legalized casinos but limited opportunities to just two integrated resort licenses. After competitive bids, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa secured the coveted licenses valued at over $1 billion each.
The resorts were viewed as drives for tourism, jobs, and economic activity. Both opened their properties with casinos in 2010 after extensive construction.
Gaming revenue soared from the new offerings. Taxes on gross gaming revenue contribute several billion dollars to the government annually.
Clearly Singapore has embraced gambling as major entertainment and money generator, albeit confined to just two locations.
This highly controlled entrance into the casino industry allowed mitigating social side effects like problem gambling through responsible gaming regulations. Locals must pay fees just to enter the casino floors to deter excessive play.
Overall, Singapore took a pragmatic approach realizing benefits while managing risks of opening to legal gambling. The result is a successful, highly regulated casino tourism sector catering primarily to visitors.
Requirements and Policies for Casino Entry in Singapore
Patrons must meet certain requirements to access the casinos in Singapore:
- Locals must pay an entry fee of SG$150 per day or SG$3,000 annually to casino regulators.
- Foreign visitors pay no entry fees but must carry valid travel documents.
- The minimum age to enter is 21 years old.
- Patrons cannot re-enter the same day without paying the fee again.
- Free entry after midnight for overnight hotel guests.
- Full-time forces members and civil servants cannot enter at all.
- Problem gamblers may be excluded.
- Daily withdrawal limits from ATMs on premise.
The fees and regulations aim to disincentivize excessive play among Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, while keeping the casinos open to tourists.
Future Outlook for Singapore Casino Expansion
With gaming revenues still robust, Singapore retains openness to expanding casino offerings in the future. However, it will likely stay highly controlled.
The government indicated willingness to consider awarding a third integrated resort license at some point. But no concrete plans or open bidding has started yet.
Two more land parcels are already designated as reserved casino sites should the nation eventually allow further gaming locations.
Conclusion
In summary, Singapore now contains two massive world-class integrated casino resorts thanks to a shift starting in 2005.
Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa offer ample gaming alongside luxury accommodations, malls, attractions and more. Locals face access fees and regulations to discourage overindulgence and addiction.
While limited to these two approved locations now, Singapore does have room to grow its casino industry if desired in the future through careful planning.
Gambling Problem Help
While gambling is meant to be enjoyable, it can become a serious issue for some individuals. If you’re experiencing difficulties related to gambling, seek help from:
- National Council on Problem Gambling or call 1800-6-668-668
- All Addiction 6-RECOVER: 6-7326837 or visit the National Addictions Management Service
The Legal Stuff
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Hao Cheng Cheng is a renowned authority in the online gambling industry, with over a decade of hands-on experience. Holding a Master's in Cryptographic Engineering from Singapore Institute of Technology, he spent years working at Marina Bay Sands, igniting his passion for the intricacies of casino operations and regulations.
For the past 11 years, Hao has dedicated himself to becoming a leading voice in Singapore's online gambling space. His incisive analysis and meticulous research have earned recognition from the Singapore Casino Association, where he serves as an advisory board member.
In addition to his work on BetCasinoSG, John has also contributed articles to the Gambling Insider, The Washington Post, and Business Insider.
Explore Hao's expertise through his professional portfolio (haoche.ng) and connect with him on LinkedIn for the latest industry commentary from this respected thought leader.
