Table games capacity doubles at Singapore casinos
Gamblers will be able to take to Singapore casinos and tables in greater numbers following an easing of coronavirus restrictions in the city-state.
Inside Asian Gaming reports that Singapore’s integrated resorts, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, are permitted four players per gaming table, doubling the two-player per table rule introduced in May.
According to information supplied by the Singapore Tourism Board, the Singapore casinos’ electronic gaming machines and poker machines can be utilised, but with only one player seated at each machine.
Other restrictions include at least one metre distance between all individuals on the casino floor and a requirement to wear a mask, except when eating, drinking or smoking.
“Strict checks are conducted by the Singapore Tourism Board to ensure that casinos provide a safe environment for their guests and staff, in line with prevailing safe management measures,” the Singapore Tourism Board said.
While those measures are set to remain in place until next month, the Singapore government announced Sunday that it would further ease some other restrictions as of Monday 21 June, with restaurants now allowed to welcome back dine-in guests, albeit in groups of no more than two.
Gyms and fitness studios are also allowed to reopen with limits on group and class sizes.
A further easing of restrictions at Singapore casinos has been tipped for mid-July.
Singapore’s first step out of COVID-19 restrictions had seen the operating limits of a number of businesses increased from 14 June, with capacity limits for attractions, cruises, museums and public libraries all increased from 25 per cent to 50 per cent and a variety of restrictions eased for hotels, such as the number of people allowed in each hotel room and at wedding ceremonies.
Japan names casino games for its three casinos
Nine casino games have been permitted to operate inside Japan’s three future casinos.
Japan’s Casino Regulatory Commission has approved nine games, with traditional Japanese favourites such as pachinko, pachislot and mahjong notable exclusions.
The nine games within the draft regulations, published last Friday, include 21 variants of games currently banned in Japan, but set to be legalised as part of the government’s integrated resort plans.
The nine games are two types of baccarat, four types of blackjack, eight types of poker, Sic Bo, craps, Casino War, money wheel and pai gow, plus electronic games.
Public feedback on the draft regulations will be accepted until May 9, after which time final casino regulations will be decided.
The regulations also call for prior background checks on all major stakeholders and executives of casino and integrated resort operators to ensure “social credibility”.
This will include detailed investigations into criminal and financial records, as well as whether there are any links to organised crime.
As a measure against problem gambling, casino operators will be expected to ban users suspected of addiction for at least one year and later limit the number of casino visits they are allowed to make each month.
Operators will be required to establish a consultation desk for anyone wanting to discuss gambling addiction.
It is also stipulated that the current time must be on display to all guests on the casino floor, while ATMs will be forbidden.
In relation to casino comps and incentive programs, the draft states, “Nothing that could potentially arouse the passion for gambling may be included,” although there are no specific details provided.
