RWS Casino - Pap humiliate Singaporeans

By Jamie Yeo - Treat_paying_citizens_better_at_casino
Jamie Yeo shares about her recent trip to the Sentosa IR casino and tells us why entry rules should be different for locals.

I visited the Resorts World Casino for the first time on Friday night and I don't think I'll be going back there anytime soon.

Don't get me wrong, I'll be checking out the rest of the restaurants there in the near future (I highly recommend Palio, the Tuscan restaurant at Hotel Michael.

I am not going back there because I think it's ludicrous that an entertaining affair like visiting a casino can become cumbersome and segregating.

I and many other Singaporeans were made to feel like animals, being herded and checked like 2nd rate citizens.

As if it's not bad enough that we're charged an exorbitant levy of $100 just to enter the premises, we have to endure a long and slow-moving queue at the entrance because our ICs have to be scanned by very slow machines that break down under the load, and get this, we Singaporeans have to endure a similar extremely long and slow-moving queue to leave the casino because yes, our ICs have to be scanned by very slow machines that break down under the load! I was appalled.

Look, I'm not complaining about the levy of $100. I'm sure the government thought this through and understands the bigger picture far better than I do.

But I do think scanning our ICs on the way in and out is a bit far out and almost hilarious. It really makes us a laughing stock among foreigners, especially in this day and age.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a patriot. I would defend our country, its values, and political ways till I go red in the face.

But I have to admit I'm finding it very difficult to come up with logical reasons to the stringent casino entry rules. Like I said, making me pay money...that's fine by me.

Just don't treat us badly by making the process tedious, embarrassing and inconvenient. I mean, we Singaporeans should be treated like VIPs having paid all that money just to enter the casino!

And the above is my most recent experience with gambling.

I don't gamble a lot to have accumulated that many experiences. I've been to casinos in Australia, Vegas, Macau and on cruise ships and I've only ever had fun! I set my loss limit to about $300 and I always stick to it. To me, it's all just for the entertainment of it all.

Poker games with friends are the best. Bets are kept small and the big winner of the night buys everyone supper.

I've never won a huge amount from gambling.In fact I did play that 10 million dollar toto, but think I won the smallest prize, what's the amount you get when you've got 3 numbers and the additional number? I have no idea. Haven't yet gone to claim my prize money. I just remember the amount being very insignificant.

Life itself is a gamble enough. I don't really need to get involved in serious gambling.

Anyway, I'm too much of a realist. However, if 50 bucks buys me some extra thrill while I'm watching a football match, then why not?

The writer is a Star Blogger with Stomp, The Straits Times’ social-networking and citizen- media website.

Gambler from China wins S$1.5mil at RWS Casino

From: "Alexx"

Subject: Re: Gambler from China wins S$1.5mil at RWS

"Dassault Franz" wrote in message

> Are they inviting everyone to visit RWS?

As usual, they want the public to feel "good".
But SPH media doesn't report what he lost.
Gambler from China wins S$1.5mil at RWS

SINGAPORE's first casino, Resorts World at Sentosa has attracted numerous millionaires from China and one of them is said to have won more than S$1.5mil in a day.

Nanyang Siang Pau reported that the winner was a middle-aged man who played the baccarat on Saturday evening. He was accompanied by a young woman.

It was reported that the man would occasionally scold the croupier if he lost.

The daily also reported that the man carried a lucky charm in the form of a golden Buddha palm, which he placed on the table.

The man was reported to be among the VIPs who deposited S$100,000.

Teething Problems in New Casino

SINGAPORE: Resorts World Sentosa expects visitor numbers to its casino to dip significantly from Wednesday when the public holidays end.

This, after an overwhelming response to its opening, during the first three days of the Lunar New Year.

The casino has attracted some 41,000 people so far.

Police also made its first arrests when two foreign nationals, believed to be Mongolians, tried to use a false passport to gain entry.

Some 6,300 guests tried their luck at the casino during the last day of the Lunar New Year public holidays.

The more popular games included baccarat, roulette, pontoon and blackjack.

Although it was the end of the holiday period, some punters said they will be back.

Teething problems also emerged during the first three days of operations.

Long waits, overwhelmed facilities and confusion over dress code were some of the complaints received.

Resorts World Sentosa said there have been initial problems, and will take feedback from guests seriously.

Krist Boo, vice president, Communication, Resorts World Sentosa, said: "We had to turn away some of the customers on the first day because they came in slippers. So, the dress code for the casino as with a lot of world-class casino, is no slippers, no singlets and no shorts.

“So, we realised that some of the customers are not aware that the signs have been posted outside the casino. Yesterday, we started putting up more signage to inform the customers to come in proper attire."

With many new dealers on the floor, gamblers also questioned their competency.

Said one visitor to the casino: "It’s very slow, I don't see a lot of Singaporeans also. They are still at a learning stage and they made a number of mistakes."

Ms Boo added: "Mainly our croupiers are new to the industry. They started training as early as August last year so they have been training for quite a while. But nothing beats the real thing. So, when the casino opens, many are learning on the job."

Resorts World Sentosa said it would take some time for the croupiers to gain experience and they are working hard to put things right. - CNA/vm

Resorts World Casino is now officially opened

To be exact it opens at 12.18 noon today.

SINGAPORE: Singapore opened the first of two casino resorts Sunday, part of a multi-billion dollar bet to transform itself into a hot tourist destination and reduce the economy's reliance on manufacturing.

The casino at Resorts World Sentosa welcomed its first punter - a middle aged Singaporean woman - at the auspicious time of 12:18 pm (0418 GMT) on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

When pronounced in the Cantonese dialect, 12:18 sounds like "prosperity".

The first bettor was followed by an initial crowd of about 200 enthusiastic gamblers and within hours of the opening, hundreds more were queuing up outside. Ushers gave out free bottled water and ice cream in the sweltering tropical heat.

The opening - to be followed within months by a second casino resort built by Las Vegas Sands in Singapore's business district - is part of an ambitious plan to transform the city into a key destination for casino high-rollers, business executives and families.

"I'll probably play jackpot. I'm willing to wager around a hundred (dollars) in it," said Tiong Tak Si, 60, a retiree from Brunei.

Resorts World Sentosa, which is on Sentosa island, a former British garrison linked to the main island by bridge, is owned by Malaysian gaming giant Genting Group.

"We have waited a long time for this. Today's opening of the casino is a milestone for Resorts World Sentosa, for Genting Group and for Singapore," said group chairman Lim Kok Thay.

The construction of Resorts World Sentosa, together with the Las Vegas Sands' casino resort, Marina Bay Sands, is costing more than US$10 billion.

They will also offer visitors a range of glitzy hotels, restaurants and luxury goods shops.

Genting's casino complex includes a Universal Studios movie theme park, which it opened Sunday for sneak previews ahead of full operations.

Singapore, host to thousands of multinational corporations, is already a major travel draw because of its reputation for safety, cleanliness and efficiency, as well as man-made attractions such as top-end shopping malls.

However, it is a tiny island which lacks the white-sand beaches and breath-taking scenery found in neighbouring countries like Indonesia and Malaysia and the government is continually searching for new ideas to create a buzz about the city-state.

In 2008 it made sporting history when it hosted the world's first Formula One night race.

It has built the world's biggest observation wheel, the Singapore flyer, and an arts venue and has given its prime Orchard Road shopping belt a makeover.

Now it plans a landscaped area called Gardens by the Bay near the Marina Barrage built in 2008.

The city-state is aiming to get 17 million visitors a year generating more than US$21 billion by 2015, up from 9.7 million visitors last year.

Analysts expect the casino resorts to help the city meet those targets.

"There is clearly a push to add to the range and depth of attractions here and that is important for a place like this," said Robert McIntosh, an executive director with CBRE Hotels Asia Pacific, a consultancy firm.

"They (casino resorts) are a massive boost to overall tourism to Singapore," he told AFP.

CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets, an independent brokerage firm, said Singapore's casinos are expected to generate revenues of US$2.1 billion this year, rising to US$3.5 billion in 2011.

Singapore in 2005 agreed to go ahead with the two casino resorts after a rare public debate.

Opponents feared gambling would threaten the city's "family values" and put it at risk of becoming a centre for money-laundering.

But the government has put in safeguards, including imposing a S$100 entrance fee for Singaporeans and permanent residents and banning anyone declared bankrupt from the casinos outright.

Last month it launched a dedicated police unit to investigate casino-related crimes.

Resort World at Sentosa - casino to open first hour of Chinese New Year

SINGAPORE'S much-anticipated integrated resort (IR), Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) will open its doors on the first day of the Lunar New Year, February 14.
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The public will be allowed to enjoy a preview of Universal Studios, as well as dining and shopping venues.

The casino, which will see its soft-opening that day, will have its first play during an auspicious hour at a private ceremony and the public will be allowed through its doors at 12.18pm.

Attractions such as the Lake of Dreams and evening previews of the Universal Studios theme park will make its debut that day. However, rides and shows will not be operational.

Mr Tan Hee Teck, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RWS said that the rides and shows in theme park are still undergoing fine-tuning.

Opening hours for Universal Studios will be from 5pm to 9pm every night from February 14 to 21. Admission costs $10.

Universal Studios Singapore will open on February 22, 2010 to Resorts World Sentosa, Genting, and Universal employees followed by limited audiences of staff families, charities and invited guests.

It is expected to open to public in early March

The casino levy can be bought at 11.18 am on Friday, February 12, 2010.

Singapore citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents can purchase the levy from counters outside the Resorts World Sentosa casino and online at www.rwsentosa.com.

Details of the tours, levy terms and conditions will be posted online from Friday.

Enquiries can be made at enquiries@rwsentosa.com or 6577 8888/99.

----------------------------------------------

Have you guys noticed something? This casino doesn't have a official name. The door entrance just have the word "CASINO". It doesn't have a name by itself like those restaurants or casinos elsewhere.

THE doors to Singapore's first casino and Universal Studios theme park will be flung open by the Chinese New Year, which is widely regarded as an auspicious time.

Tenants and staff at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) told The Straits Times that they have been gearing up for the big opening at the end of this week.

One tenant said yesterday they had been told by the management that the theme park is targeted to open on either Feb 12 or 13, and the casino would open on Feb 13.

'We were told this a couple of days ago. We are very excited about good business during Chinese New Year,' said Mr Zie Samad, manager of Chili's, a restaurant which is just beside the theme park entrance. Entertainment veteran Dennis Foo, who is opening a new club at the integrated resort (IR) by early May, said 'more than three people in senior management' had told him the theme park would be taking in its first guests this week.

Mr Foo toured the IR last month and pronounced the casino '100 per cent ready'.

Several casino staff, who spoke to The Straits Times on condition of anonymity, said they were told to be ready for the casino's opening before Chinese New Year.

Genting Singapore issued Casino license

Resorts World at Sentosa awarded casino licence
Posted: 06 February 2010 1602 hrs

SINGAPORE: The Resorts World at Sentosa Integrated Resort has been awarded its casino licence.

In a brief statement posted on its website, the Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore said the licence was granted on Saturday.

Previously, Resorts World had said it's ready to start operating Singapore's first legal casino as soon as the government issued the gambling licence.

The other integrated resort by Marina Bay Sands is set to open in April after encountering construction delays.

So far, about 3,500 people with serious criminal records have been barred from the two casinos when they open.

In a statement on Friday night, the police said notices called the Commissioner of Police Exclusion Orders will be served on those with a history of crimes related to drugs, illegal moneylending, prostitution and secret societies, among other things.

It's the latest in a series of steps taken by the authorities to keep criminal elements out of the casinos opening soon. - CNA/vm

Resorts World Sentosa waived entry fees

From: Tanki <5191 ...="" gmail.com="">
Subject: Resorts World Sentosa waived entry fees

RWS waives entry fee
Waiver applies to those who drive, take a bus or taxi into the resort

IN A bid to keep the traffic flowing into Sentosa, Resorts World
Sentosa (RWS) will absorb admission charges for those heading straight
to the integrated resort.

The entrance fee waiver, which starts tomorrow, applies to those who
drive, take a taxi or ride public buses into the resort.

They will have direct access to RWS' basement carpark without having
to pass through the Sentosa toll booths farther inland.

They will, however, still have to pay carpark charges, taxi fares and
the public bus fare.

Taxi passengers will also not be exempt from the $3 RWS surcharge that
cab companies, except ComfortDelGro - which operates Comfort and
CityCab taxis - recently announced.

And for visitors taking the bus, fares will be between $1.50 and $3.50
depending on where they start their journey and which bus service they
take.

We're first! Resorts World Sentosa beats Sands to Singapore First Casino resort

From: Tanki <5191 ...="" gmail.com="">

Subject: We're first! Resorts World Sentosa beats Sands to Singapore

The RWS integrated resort starts taking bookings for its four hotels,
and grabs bragging rights on being casino numero uno

In the unofficial but cutthroat race to open Singapore's first
integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa will begin opening in stages
from January 20, 2010, starting with its four hotels opening on the
same day. It's a long-drawn tussle between the resort and Marina Bay
Sands, which just announced that it is looking to open its casino
resort at the end of March, but is facing delays due to rains,
according to the Wall Street Journal.

It's the first shot in the IR salvo, and in a press statement that
just smacks ever so slightly of gloating, chairman of the Genting
Group and Resorts World Sentosa Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said, 'We have
been single-minded about the promise to deliver a true IR that will
make Singapore and Singaporeans proud -- no distractions or excuses --
and today, we are happy to say we marked the first milestone towards
delivering on that promise."

As to the opening of the Universal Studios Singapore theme park and
more importantly, the casino license, no details are yet available but
are in the process of approvals.

Resorts World Sentosa has began operations at two of its four hotels,
celebrating with a lion dance and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The four
hotels -- Festive Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Crockfords Tower
and Hotel Michael -- will offer a total of 1,350 rooms and 10
restaurant outlets at the opening, while another two hotels, Equarius
Hotel and Spa Villas, will add another 500 rooms when they launch
after 2010.

Resorts World at Sentosa to Open on 20th Jan 2010

From: Tanki <5191 ...="" gmail.com="">
Resorts World Sentosa to start phased opening this month

PETALING JAYA: Singapore’s first integrated resort, Resorts World
Sentosa, will start its phased opening from Jan 20, beginning with
four hotels.

“Resorts World Sentosa is working closely with the authorities to
obtain approvals for Universal Studios Singapore, which will open
next,” the company said in a statement.

The opening date for the casino will be announced when Genting
Singapore Plc, a 54% subsidiary of Genting Bhd receives its casino
licence, it added.

The resort’s four hotels – Festive Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore,
Crockfords Tower and Hotel Michael – offer a combined inventory of
1,350 rooms and 10 restaurants.

Another two hotels, Equarius Hotel and Spa Villas, will add another
500 rooms when launched after this year, the company said.