Double trouble: Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World fined

The Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore has imposed financial penalties totalling $497,500.

Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World at Sentosa have been fined $357,500 and $140,000 respectively for breaching social safeguard requirements during the period 1 May 2011 to 31 October 2011.

RWS has also been censured for 3 cases of similar breaches during the period and MBS censured for failing to display appropriate message on its progressive jackpot system on 18 October 2011.

CRA said in an announcement that the casino operators were found to have not complied fully with social safeguard requirements, which are put in place to contain and control the potential harm of casino gambling to society.

The agency therefore imposed disciplinary actions on the casino operators for failing to prevent the following persons from entering and/or remaining on their casino premises: Singapore citizens and permanent residents without valid entry levies, including those who stayed beyond the 24 hours’ validity of their day entry levies; persons prohibited from entering the casinos by an exclusion order; and minors.

In addition, MBS has been censured for breaching gaming equipment regulations for failing to ensure a winning message was accurately displayed on an Electronic Gaming Machine when one of its patrons, Mdm Choo Hong Eng, hit a jackpot at the casino on 18 October 2011.

CRA’s investigations showed that there was no deliberate intention by the operator to deceive or deprive the patron of her prize, which should have been a car. Due to the inappropriate winning message on the EGM, the operator had in November 2011, paid the amount of $416,742.11 to the patron.

“The disciplinary actions taken serve to remind casino operators to act responsibly to uphold the integrity of social safeguards put in place by the authorities. CRA will take firm disciplinary actions if such breaches are established,” said CRA.