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Monday December 6, 2010

More than 3,000 Malaysians gamble in Singapore daily

OTHER NEWS & VIEWS
Compiled by NEW JO-LYN, ANN TAN and A. RAMAN

OVER 3,000 Malaysians, including housewives, cross over to Singapore everyday to gamble at the two casinos there, reported China Press in its front-page exclusive. The daily said travel agents wooed Malaysians by offering them free transport and meal coupons.

It said some agents only charged RM25 per person, including a day tour of the republic with freebies thrown in. However, customers joining the trip must buy at least S$100 (RM240) worth of gambling chips through the travel agency’s employees upon arriving at the casinos.

It is learnt that most of the customers were middle-aged and would visit the casinos three or four times a week, placing bets up to S$1,000 (RM2,400) each time. Some frequent customers told the daily that they found the package attractive besides getting a thrill from gambling.

“Of course, it is terrible when we lose money since it is in Singapore currency. But when we win, the money will also be doubled when converted to ringgit. “Even if we were to win only S$20 to S$30, it is considered pocket money, especially for pensioners. It is definitely better than going to work,” reported the daily.

The republic’s two multi-billion dollar casinos – Resorts World and Las Vegas’ Marina Bay Sands – began operating earlier this year.