Singapore Casinos

Gambling in Singapore

The Republic of Singapore is an island city-state off southern Malaysia which hosts two large casinos, a state-run lottery system known as Singapore Pools, and a horse racing track. Singapore is also a global financial center that offers visitors, and a multi-culturally diverse resident population, a tropical climate. Although there are only two casinos here, Singapore is positioned fourth in the world behind the United States, Macau, and Canada respectively. Since opening, the casinos of Singapore have consistently placed in the top ten worldwide for gambling revenue. Perhaps most amazing is the fact that 60% of their customers are Singaporeans. Singapore still holds the number one or two spot, depending upon the studies consulted, for biggest casino spend per adult each year.

The same forces acting upon Macau have caused turmoil and a drop in GGR over the last couple of years. These factors include a slow-to-recover Chinese economy,  the continuing anti-corruption crackdown out of Beijing, and a surge in bad debt due to casinos risking their own money to finance high-rollers rather than rely on junket operators. Since 2016, Singapore casino operators have begun to shift their focus from VIP gambling to mass market players in order to adjust to the changing environment.

Singapore Casino Information

The first legal betting in Singapore began with the government's launch of Singapore Pools in 1968. The lotteries were created as a way to curb illegal gambling in the country, and largely did away with the illegal betting syndicates that once ruled the scene there.

The next legal betting opportunity came for Singaporeans with the official opening of the Singapore Racecourse (Kanji Racecourse or Singapore Turf Club) March 4, 2000. However the history of the club goes way back to 1842.

And then the big guns came with Genting focusing on family entertainment and Sands relying on convention and MICE space to make up the other 95% of their properties. Licensing guidelines allowed a maximum of 5% of the properties to be used for gaming.

Genting's Resorts World Sentosa

Genting opened the first four hotels at Resorts World Sentosa on an island off the southern coast of Singapore on January 20, 2010 with the casino opening on the first day of Chinese New year, Feb. 14. The casino floor covers 15,000 m2 (160,000 sq ft). Southeast Asia's first Universal Studios theme park opened at Resorts World on March 18, 2010 with 24 attractions. More phased developments and openings occurred over the next couple of years including the Maritime Experiential Museum and The Marine Life Park, followed by an official grand opening of the resort on December 7, 2012.

Las Vegas Sands' Marina Bay Sands

Las Vegas Sands Corp followed soon after with the magnificent Marina Bay Sands integrated resort opening in phases beginning with the casino on April 27, 2010. A grand opening was held once the SkyPark (a 1 hectare (2.5 acre)  roof terrace that sits atop three 55-story hotel towers) The ArtScience Museum, Theatre Block, and other amenities opened. Marina Bay Sands also has a 15,000 m2 (160,000 sq ft) casino floor, but their convention space is counted at 1,300,000 sq ft., while Resorts World dedicates about 100,000 sq ft to meetings and exhibits.