The watchdog will be a full-fledged government agency and will enforce the rules and regulations governing the casino industry, Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng told the Today newspaper in an interview.

Wong said the watchdog will ensure that "casinos remain free from criminal influence and that illegal activities on the premises are kept under control".

The regulator will also be empowered to punish casino operators who violate the rules by imposing fines or suspending their gaming licenses, as well as settle any disputes, said Wong, who is also one of two deputy prime ministers.

"Where there are disputes between the casinos and their patrons, for example over winnings, it will step in to investigate and adjudicate," he said.

Fact-finding missions have been carried out in other countries that have casinos including Australia and Macau. Information gathered from these trips will guide the city-state in framing its Casino Control Bill, Wong said.

The bill, expected to be ready in 2006, will empower the casino watchdog to ensure that rules and regulations are being observed by operators.

"I've been to other places to see how other countries regulate their casinos," Wong said.

"We've had briefings from operators themselves in Macau," he said.

Singapore announced in April that it will issue licenses to two Las Vegas-style casino resorts to spice up its staid image and attract more tourists despite strong domestic opposition to casino gambling.

Wong, who was personally against having casinos in the city-state, said his stand on the issue had not changed, but acknowledged the move to allow casinos was needed to keep Singapore competitive in the race to attract more tourists.

"That's an evolving decision that will affect Singapore and which will ensure we stay ahead of our neighbours competitively," Wong said.

"So whatever reservations people may have... I think having decided on this, we have to make it work," he said.

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