Inside Asian Gaming

IAG MAR 2020年3月 亞博匯 77 特寫 or managing the risk that is often associated with a casino was that there was going to be an increase in the rate of problem gambling. In fact, the opposite has occurred. Since the integrated resorts have opened, not only has the proportion of the population that’s eligible to gamble decreased, but the rate of problem gambling has also declined [from 2.6% in 2011 to 0.9% in 2017]. That’s a lesson for all markets that are considering integrated resorts: while it may be counter intuitive that you offer a new opportunity for gambling as a form of entertainment in a market, and you can actually utilize that opportunity to bring down your rate of problem gambling. But you can utilize that opportunity to decrease problem gambling because the casino industry has the most highly evolved set of rules, regulations and laws that address problem gambling and that provide social safeguards to protect those who might be vulnerable. Other forms of gambling don’t bring that kind of infrastructure. MC: What can other jurisdictions learn fromMBS and Singapore’s IR experience? GT: Singapore can serve as a case study or a benchmark. The fact that the introduction of casinos can lead to a decline in the rate of problem gambling is a very, very important lesson that can be learned. Other governments can look at how the regulatory structure has been established here, what changes have been made over time, how Singapore, when they implement a new measure, defines it in a very targeted way to make sure it specifically addresses any perceived problem. And other markets can gain comfort in knowing that there’s a way to do this right so that it can have a positive impact. Another lesson that we’ve learned from the Marina Bay Sands experience is that great architecture can serve as a tourism draw in and of itself. With the advent of the smartphone and the popularity of the selfie, something like our SkyPark and the infinity