Integrated Resorts - Beneficial?

Building an integrated resort can boost Singapore’s economy and maintain Singapore’s competitiveness. This idea is supported by the government and some of the people. However, the casino, playing the biggest role in the IR, has drawn the attention of many local Singaporeans because of the benefits and the potential risks.

Would the casino really benefit Singapore? One thing that we must know is the mindset of tourists. Can we be certain that the tourists would go to the IR? If tourists do not go to the IR, it would be a waste of resources and manpower, considering the amount of electricity used and the number of workers. If I were a tourists coming to Singapore, would I be coming to gamble, or would I be coming to get a taste of Singaporean culture and lifestyle? Furthermore, most tourists come with the aid of travel agencies planning their trip for them. Would any of these travel agencies have IR as one of its destinations?

If we consider the actual situation, the IR has a great potential to boost the Singapore economy. In recent years, 10 million tourists came to Singapore. If every one of them goes to the casino and gamble, and the casino earns $15 from each of them, that would mean Singapore can earn $150 million from the casino each year. Even if we multiply that sum of money by 15% we still get $22.5 million. Hence, it is likely for the casino to benefit us.

The locals are more concerned about there being more local gamblers. Even if we do not build the casino, people would still gamble by buying Toto or 4D. Moreover, it is rather unlikely for people to make an effort to go to the IR, not only because of the time spent on transport, but also the way one wins. Toto and 4D give a person a minute chance of striking a fortune, whereas the IR gives him a 50-50 chance of doubling his bet. Would anyone go through all the trouble of getting to the IR just to get a higher chance of winning less and a lower chance of losing more?

If one has to go through all the trouble to gamble legally at the IR, people might still prefer to gamble illegally due to the convenience. Furthermore, if the government is to charge an admission fee on the locals, then it would also prevent those who are moderately wealthy to go into the IR. Supposing that I have $200 and have to pay an admission fee of $100 to get into the IR, I have already lost $100 to the government before I can place my bet. Hence, there is practically no point discouraging the locals from going because it is simply not worth it.

Therefore, the issue about the IR posing a potential threat is just an assumption because we do not know whether people would go to the IR. We have to evaluate the consequences by understanding the way people think. Only then we can know whether the IR would benefit us or harm us.