Singapore Casinos Welcome Back Patrons Starting July 1 At 25% Capacity

Published: 30/06/2020

Reading Time: 4 Min

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Singapore’s Tourism Board and the Ministry of Trade and Industry revealed that the two casinos in the city would start welcoming guests on July 1. The casinos will operate at 25 percent capacity.

Casinos in Singapore shut down in mid-March to help reduce the risks of spreading the deadly novel coronavirus.

In Asia and other parts of the world, casinos started reopening, despite the continuing threat of the novel coronavirus. Globally, more than 10,000,000 caught the novel coronavirus infection, taking the lives of not less than 500,000 people. Singapore’s novel coronavirus infection reached 43,661 cases as of June 29, with 202 new cases.

US and European casinos gained permission to operate after regulators relaxed safety and health measures, giving businesses to operate and stimulate growth and recovery for the countries.

Governments needed movement in their economy to support the coronavirus contagion plan and gradually lift economies.

Singapore casinos reopen doors

Resorts World Sentosa, owned by Genting Group, Malaysian gaming, and hospitality company, received the signal to operate properties including its Universal Studios Singapore theme park, and SEA Aquarium.

The Las Vegas Sands operated Marina Bay Sands will allow guests to visit its ArtScience Museum, the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck on the 5th floor showing a panoramic view of the city and the casino floor.

The two casinos canceled all events since mid-March and remained closed for more than three months. Regulators in Singapore allowed the casinos to resume operations at a limited capacity to ensure social distancing. The casinos are only allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity starting Wednesday. Social distancing and other health and sanitary measures are required in the institutions.

Entrance to the casinos is limited to casino members and levy holders.

In Singapore, casinos only allow players who have paid entry fees to play in gaming tables and slot machines.

Safe and enjoyable tourism

Keith Tan, the Singaporean Tourism Board CEO, revealed that they would gradually reopen the country’s tourism while taking safety seriously. He added that the country’s main priority is to ensure that tourists get a safe and fun experience.

Tourism regulators said that the reopening of the country’s economy would take some time. They are hoping to offer the country’s tourism in a socially responsible manner.

The reopening of the casinos emerged after the Singapore Casino Regulatory Authority, and the Ministry of Home Affairs heightened gambling restrictions.

Casino regulators plan to limit casino operations subject to due diligence to set the casinos in global standards. Singapore aims to protect the casinos from money laundering and financial terrorism.

Recently, Marina Bay Sands was probed by US authorities over claims of violations of money laundering rules. Casinos and other gambling institutions are always linked to fraud and criminal activities. In some parts of Asia, online casinos are directly related to kidnapping, prostitution, and human trafficking.

Regulators around the world are now cooperating to reduce risks in the casino industry. Regulators warn of the rising threat of fraud in the industry, raised by the continuing spread of the novel coronavirus.