THOUSANDS of bankrupt Singaporeans and others on social assistance could be banned from the city-state's casinos, a report has said.

The proposed exclusion measures are allowed under the Casino Control Act passed earlier this year to regulate two gaming complexes to open from 2009.

The measures would "prevent problem gamblers and the financially vulnerable from gambling at the casinos," the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), an independent advisory body to the government, said in a statement.

NCPG is seeking public input on how to implement the exclusion measures.

But the Casino Control Act gives the Council the authority to exclude a person who receives government-funded social assistance, who is an undischarged bankrupt, or has a poor credit record, the council said in the statement issued Friday.

It did not say how many people fall into that category but the Straits Times reported Saturday that there are about 24,000 undischarged bankrupts and 3000 Singaporeans receiving public assistance.

A spokesman for the NCPG could not be immediately reached for comment.

Under the proposals, the NCPG can also exclude individuals at their own request, or at the request of family members who feel a relative's gambling has caused them serious harm, the Council said.

Singapore in 2005 agreed to go ahead with two casino "resorts" -- which will have entertainment and other facilities alongside gaming areas -- after a rare public debate.

Opponents feared gambling would threaten Singapore's "family values" reputation and put it at risk of becoming a centre for money-laundering.

The government hopes the resorts will boost the city's tourism appeal and says it is implementing a comprehensive regulatory and enforcement framework.

"The exclusion orders are just one of the many stringent social safeguards for casinos that will be put in place. These safeguards are more stringent than in other jurisdictions with casinos," the NCPG statement said.

Among the safeguards, Singaporeans will have to pay S$100 a day (US$65) or $2000 annually to enter the casinos.

Las Vegas Sands got Singapore's first casino licence in May for a development near the city's commercial heart.

In early December, the government named Genting International and Star Cruises, both part of Malaysia's Genting Group, as the winner of a second casino licence on Sentosa island.

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