SINGAPORE, Feb 8 – The Singapore Police Force (SPF) will start serving some 3,500 Exclusion Orders to those with serious criminal backgrounds from Saturday – to keep them out of the two casinos due to open at the two integrated resorts (IRs) – Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) and Marina Bay Sands (MBS).
In a statement on Friday night, the police said the exclusion orders are “broadly targeted at criminals who are involved in serious syndicated crimes or those with the propensity to operate criminal organisations, as well as those involved in illegal activities which will directly affect the crime-free gaming environment”.
The statement came on the heels of a rise in the share prices for Genting Singapore earlier in the day. Genting Singapore, which owns RWS – the first IR to begin operations here – saw its shares gain 2.8 per cent on the Straits Times Index (STI), rising to $1.11.
Market reports had attributed the rise to “market chatter that the company might open its Universal Studios theme park at Resorts World Sentosa on Feb 11 and the casino a day after”.
When contacted, RWS spokesman Robin Goh said the IR had “no comment to make” beyond saying that it is “on track to open in the first quarter of 2010”.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Casino Regulatory Authority told MediaCorp it was still processing the casino licences for RWS and MBS.
RWS opened its four hotels on Jan 20, and will open its other attractions in phases, while MBS has said it will open in mid-April.
Analysts say the move by the SPF to issue the Exclusion Orders could further raise public expectations that the opening of Singapore’s first casino is imminent – and could happen before the Chinese New Year on Feb 14.
Known as the Commissioner of Police Exclusion Orders or CPEOs – these are different from the Exclusion Orders (EOs) issued by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).
The EOs from the NCPG follow from applications by families to bar their loved ones from the casinos if they could prove to counsellors and a council-appointed committee that their family member has a serious gambling habit.
Last month, individuals were also allowed to voluntarily bar themselves by applying directly to the NCPG.
However, under the CPEOs issued under the Casino Control Act, those who have committed serious criminal offences such as loan shark syndicate members, secret society members, money launderers, pimps and drug traffickers are targeted. The list of excluded persons – which is confidential – will be periodically reviewed and updated, added the police.
Anyone served the CPEO will not be allowed to enter, remain, or take part in any gaming, on any casino premises.
The penalty for contravening the Order is a fine of up to $10,000 or a jail term of up to 12 months or both.
Any winnings paid or are payable to the offender will also be forfeited.
The CPEOs, said the police, are aimed at keeping the gaming environment free from syndicated crime and vice activities.
Any excluded person who wishes to appeal against the EO can do so by writing to the Minister of Home Affairs.
Meanwhile, RWS announced on Friday that local songbird Stephanie Sun will perform at the IR’s first concert by a solo artiste, which will be held on Feb 16.
Regarded as one of Singapore’s most successful singers, Sun has sold over 10 million albums. – Today
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