Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | July 2012 10 S ingapore’s gaming market has delivered some serious returns since its two integrated resorts (IRs) first opened. But its future growth prospects look mixed and will depend on several factors, many of them regulatory. The Lion City’s casino market has been one of the most interesting elements of the Asian gaming growth story in recent times and remains a key economic driver for the city state. But as its government-protected duopoly—sharedbetweenMarinaBaySands (MBS) and Resorts World Sentosa (RWS)— settles in deeper, the sector is beginning to look safer and less exciting than it once did. In an effort to protect its citizens from the ills of problem gambling, Singapore’s government has ensured that casino operators’ targets are placed squarely on foreign arrivals. The Singapore government’s primary proclaimed objective in legalizing casinos wastoboostthecity-state’stourismnumbers. The IRs have delivered. Tourist arrivals grew Bottlenecks and Headwinds Singapore walks a muddled path to growth Tourism revival—arrivals hit new records following the opening of the IRs in 2010 Market leader—Marina Bay Sands