Many Singaporeans are against the Integrated Resorts (IR) proposal because IR comes with a casino. In fact, none of my Singaporean friends I have talked to support the idea of having a casino here in Singapore. They feel that it is not necessary and casino will spell social issues.
Granted, gambling is a vice on its own, and so is alcoholism (heavily taxed) and prostitution (legalised and regulated). In my opinion, casual gambling is closer to alcoholism than prostitution. I don’t gamble but I do know that people here in Singapore do gamble one way or another. Lottery is gambling, playing mahjong is gambling, horse racing beting is gambling, visiting casino in Genting, Malaysia is gambling … How will a casino harm our society when there are so many regulated gambling spots inside and near Singapore? Answer is no, people don’t suddenly pick up or get addicted to gambling because there is a new casino. Serious gamblers gamble anyway, with or without a casino.
Coming from Hong Kong, I do welcome this Integrated Resort idea. This will make Singapore more vibrant. It is time to give back the people the freedom of choice that the Singaporeans are so deprived of.