Inside Asian Gaming

S ingapore’s decision to license two junket operators for one of its casino resorts—but to choose ones understood currently to have no existing players from mainland China—looks like an attempt to exert maximum control over this most controversial aspect of the Asian casino scene. The two junkets chosen by the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) for Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) are headed by Huang Yu Kiang and Low Chong Aun. They are to be known in Singapore as International Marketing Agents (IMAs)—possibly to get away from the connotations the term“casino junket” has in Macau and the wider world. According to Ben Lee of iGamiX Management & Consulting, an expert in VIP gaming with experience in operations and project development across Asia, the IMAs are two Malaysian junket operators who currently specialise in supplying Southeast Asian players to Resorts World Genting (formerly known as Genting Highlands), the Genting-owned casino resort in Malaysia. The CRA signalled its desire to retain tight control over the process by giving each named IMA only a 12-month licence, stipulating they cannot offer services to Singapore citizens, and issuing revised regulations that specifically prevent the sharing of junket commissions with parties not licensed in Singapore. This is understood to be an attempt to close the back door to Macau-China junkets getting involved in Singapore via association with the newly licensed entities. It seems the CRA has also in effect reversed the normal burden of proof applied to criminal and civil court matters in many jurisdictions—that the prosecution or plaintiff must prove its case. Instead it seems the new junkets will actively and regularly have to prove they are acting with probity. On that basis, it seems likely the licensing of junkets in Singapore will not provide the revenue “big bang” that some industry observers had expected. Speaking at a Macau press conference last month to preview the Global Gaming Expo Asia to be held in Macau in May, Mr Lee gave some more details about the newly permitted junkets. “This will no doubt drive incremental business for Resorts World [Sentosa in Singapore],” said Mr Lee. “My company has had direct dealings with these gentlemen,” he added. Entrance to the casino at Resorts World Sentosa Incremental Entry Experts are cautious on the impact of Singapore’s licensing of two junket operators for Resorts World Sentosa INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | April 2012 28