SRA INVESTIGATES ALLEGED ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN S'PORE CASINOS

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah

SINGAPORE, April 9 (Bernama) -- The Casino Regulatory Authority has
initiated investigations against casinos here after receiving information
alleging illegal activities, according to a news report by Channel NewsAsia.

CRA also said Las Vegas Sands Corp Chief Executive Officer Sheldon Adelson
had, during a forum, suggested that the government had not made up its mind
about allowing junkets to operate in Singapore.

Dismissing this as inaccurate, CRA explained that the Casino Control Act
provided for the licensing of junket operators and representatives.

Junket operators and representatives, who meet the regulatory requirements,
would be allowed to operate in Singapore after being licensed.

In fact, CRA received junket applications, endorsed by Resorts World
Sentosa, which were being processed.

However, the authority warned it would not tolerate any person organising,
promoting or conducting a junket in Singapore casinos without a license.

Singapore's Resorts World Sentosa said it held in high regard Singapore's
casino regulatory regime and worked closely with CRA on all compliance matters.

Likewise, any casino operator who allowed a person who is not licensed by
the CRA to organise, promote and conduct junkets would also be liable to
disciplinary action.

CRA added that anyone with specific and credible information on illegal
activities, including illegal junkets, in casinos should inform the CRA and
the police.