Time to give the casinos a chance

The Straits Times - 14 Feb 2006

I DISAGREE that we should set up casinos in Singapore. I am very against the idea of an IR and some more two of them. There are many social problems such as increase in crime rates, unemployment, family breakdowns etc. Although these resorts are very essential to Singapore to improve the economic stability and gain much more profit, i feel that it is not mandatory. There are surely other methods that will incur revenue for Singapore. Although there has been many preventive measures for such social problems, i believe that civil problems will still happen. The presence of such casinos will affect the upbringing of young children and teens. I was suprised when i initially found out that 2 IRs where being permitted although there was much opposition from churches, community centres, social councils and many more organisations. Singapore that has refrained from setting up casinos like Las Vegas (Sin city) , Macau and other countries has suddenly decided to 'go with the flow'! Although i know that the presence of casinos will attract many tourists and help in the future establishment of Singapore, it is very disappointing to know of such news. I can only hope that there will be more counsellors and psychologists available to aid and stop gambling addictions together with its subsequent pyschological problems.