SINGAPORE lifted its ban on casino gambling as the tourist landscape changed drastically and the city must adapt to that environment, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told CNN in an interview aired on Saturday, Dec 23.

As the US gaming city of Las Vegas has shown, the tourist business is now a combination of casino gambling, entertainment and leisure and Asia is likely to follow a similar path if the region continues to grow strongly, he said.

"It was a big step because we've resisted having casinos in Singapore for a long time but the world changed and gradually, we came to the realization that we also had to change," said Lee.

"Because if you look at the way the tourist business has grown, if you look at the way the entertainment business is growing, if you look at the way Las Vegas does its business now, it's not just gambling but it's a whole mega industry of leisure, of entertainment, of food, of lifestyle.

"And the way Las Vegas has gone, if Asia continues on this route of growth and vibrance -- China and India -- over the next couple of decades, that is the way business is going to go in Asia."

While casino gambling has been linked to criminal activities, Lee said the city-state, which is regarded as one of Asia's top business destinations, is capable of dealing with the potential problems like Las Vegas has done.

Despite a rare chorus of public dissent, Lee and his government lifted a ban on gambling last year and announced plans for two gaming complexes featuring gaming and other attractions in a bid to boost Singapore's tourist appeal.

The first casino license was awarded in May to Las Vegas Sands, which will invest over S$5 billion (US$3.2 billion) to erect a convention and hotel complex near the banking district.

Early this month, Malaysia's Genting International won a license to build a $5.2-billion casino and amusement park in partnership with US-based Universal Parks and Resorts on Sentosa island.


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