Singapore Regulator Fines Casinos Over Lax Entry Controls

By Chun Han Wong

SINGAPORE--Singapore's casino regulator said Tuesday it has fined the city-state's two casino resorts for failures to enforce strict casino-entry controls in incidents that occurred from late 2011 to early 2012.

Marina Bay Sands, operated by U.S. gambling group Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS), was fined 130,000 Singapore dollars ($106,000) for the disciplinary breaches, while Genting Singapore PLC's (G13.SG) Resorts World Sentosa was fined S$100,000, the Casino Regulatory Authority said on its website.

The breaches--which occurred between Nov. 1, 2011 and April 30, 2012--include allowing some local residents to enter or remain in the casinos without paying the required entry levy, and failing to prevent minors and several banned individuals from entering the casinos.

Under Singapore law, casino operators must ensure that Singapore citizens and permanent residents seeking entry into their casinos pay entry levies of S$100 a day and S$2,000 a year, and check that these patrons don't exceed their allotted period of stay.

Operators must also ensure that all patrons are at least 21 years old and haven't been banned from entering casinos here under mandatory or voluntary programs.

Write to Chun Han Wong at [e-mail]

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