Explore the allure of Singapore’s iconic casinos, where world-class gaming meets luxurious entertainment. Discover unparalleled experiences and stunning architecture in the heart of the city.
Eager Travelers Await the Grand Reopening of Singapore’s Iconic Casinos
Singapore casinos have been an anchor of the city’s booming tourism industry since 2010, when the lush, billion-dollar playgrounds of Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa opened with great fanfare.
Over 190 million visitors have passed through their glitzy lobbies to try their luck at baccarat or roulette, enjoy 5-star restaurants, see spectacular shows, and soak up unparalleled views.
Yet since early 2020, the beating pulse of Singapore’s marquee casinos has remained muted. When COVID-19 hit, both resorts were instructed to shut gaming floors and limit operations under strict nationwide lockdowns.
Over two excruciating years crawl by, Singaporeans and eager tourists alike continue asking: when will the casinos fully reopen for business at last?
The Long Wait for Singapore’s Tourism Crown Jewels
Marina Bay Sands has towered over Singapore’s skyline on Marina Bay since its grand opening in 2010 as the world’s most expensive standalone casino property at S$8 billion.
Its striking hotel towers are crowned by the jaw-dropping SkyPark stretching longer than the Eiffel Tower, housing an infinity pool and lush gardens in the clouds.
Inside, over 2,500 hotel rooms sit alongside a 1,600-seat theater, enormous shopping mall, celebrity chef restaurants like Wolfgang Puck, and a stunning waterfront promenade.
Of course, the main attraction that draws over 20 million visitors a year is its sprawling 15,000 square meter casino spread over 4 levels.
Open 24 hours daily before the pandemic, it offered over 600 gaming tables and 1,500 slot machines catering especially to high-stakes Chinese baccarat players.
The same year Marina Bay Sands opened, Genting Group unveiled Resorts World Sentosa on Singapore’s resort island of Sentosa.
The sprawling 49-hectare complex features Southeast Asia’s first Universal Studios theme park, the Maritime Experiential Museum, dolphin park attraction, and hotels ranging from family-friendly to luxury all-suite.
Its anchor casino is one of Singapore’s largest, filled with both high limit and casual gaming rooms.
Together, Singapore’s two integrated casino resorts fueled a spectacular boom in tourism over the 2010s.
By 2019, Singapore welcomed a record 19.1 million international visitors, many lured by the chance of entering the iconic casinos they had seen in movies and viral media.
Then just months later – pandemic lockdowns shuttered their gaming floors for over two painful years and counting.
Reopening Target Confirmed for Mid-2022
As Singapore cautiously relaxes COVID restrictions in 2022, its casino resorts have confirmed they are planning to fully reopen integrated attractions and gaming operations in the second quarter of this year.
An official statement by the Singapore Tourism Board revealed Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands are both undertaking “deep cleaning and sanitization of their attractions” while preparing to welcome back local and foreign guests.
Health precautions will remain in place for some time, but normal business hours without capacity limits could resume by June 2022.
Both casino resorts spent 2021 uncertainly opening, closing, then restricting gaming floors and attractions as COVID cases fluctuated.
The Stop-Start nature made operations financially draining, so their management teams are incredibly relieved to commence resumption plans at last.
Marina Bay Sands outlined its 6,800 hotel rooms will be thoroughly disinfected to give visitors “absolute confidence” in returning.
Its SkyPark tower exterior and interiors have also been completely repainted and fitted with antimicrobial coating on all surfaces to destroy coronavirus pathogens and shield future guests.
Over at Resorts World Sentosa, similar extensive sanitization efforts are underway across its 1,800 guest rooms, casino gaming equipment, restaurants, theater, and more.
The resort’s water parks must be completely drained, scrubbed, and refilled after sitting unused for over two years – a monumental undertaking.
Eager Travelers Queue for Singapore’s Tourism Restart
Industry groups expect Singapore’s reopening casinos could attract a surge of so-called “revenge travel”, especially from the resorts’ core markets of Southeast Asia and China.
Wealthy Chinese baccarat whales are reportedly already booking future visits to unwind at Marina Bay Sands’ invitation-only Chairman suites after lengthy lockdowns.
Across Singapore, retail outlets, events companies, restaurants, and small businesses linked to tourism are gearing up for visitors to come thronging back through the city’s gates and crowd places like Sentosa beach.
Over $69 billion dollars was lost across 2020/21 from international tourism drying up – so Singapore is more than ready to showcase its vibrant culture, cuisine, and attractions again.
The one frustration is no firm date has been set for the resorts resuming 24-hour casino gambling. While mid-2022 is the goal, gaming regulators have not issued official approval for Las Vegas-style operations to reboot. Given Singapore’s strict oversight, the casinos will likely get just a few weeks’ notice before being allowed to flick the switch back on.
But for now, the light at the end of the tunnel is clearly visible for Marina Bay Sands, Resorts World Sentosa, and every tourism business in between.
Conclusion
The crowds and fanfare that faded away in early 2020 are building up for a comeback almost rivaling the first time Singapore’s renowned casino integrated resorts opened their doors over a decade ago and wowed the world.
The Lion City is ready to roar back as a destination hotspot in 2022 for any traveler ready to place their next bet.
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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.
