Sigapore Casino - Gambling addiction

The casino being built in Singapore is supposed to be a money-maker and job creator. However, many people have spoken against it. And I strongly agree with these people.

Firstly, one of the objectives of the casino is to create jobs for the locals amidst this economic crisis. However, a detailed tally shows that more than 50% of the workers selected to work for the casino are foreigners! Since Singapore thinks that foreigners are more professional in this big project, the first objective’s potential has been minimized by a lot.

Secondly, from an analysis done by tourism geographer, Dr T.C. Chang, he has proven that the IR would not succeed in making money. He said, “Singapore’s IR project is overly globalized that it has lost its local flavor. Why would foreigners come to Singapore to visit the IR when they already have many at home? People come to Singapore to see something different, something they cannot see at home. The IR would not succeed, because for a tourism project to succeed, it must bring out local flavor with global standards.” The second objective is most likely unachievable.

Lastly, from a moral/ethic point of view, I asked my parents first before writing this post. My mother said, “It will corrupt a person and make him obsessed till he doesn’t care about his family or work. In the end, he will still lose all his money and become homeless” I strongly agree with her.
The moral/ethical issue is that the IR promotes gambling. Locals will no longer need to travel to other countries to gamble in the casino, but now, right in front of their doorstep.

It is destined that some people would gamble until they become so obsessed with it. They would keep trying and trying for a turnover, not caring about their children, family, or work. In the end, he would definitely lose all his money and job, because normally out of 10 tries, you would lose 9 times. An interviewer from a youtube video – “Compulsive Gambling, Problem Gambling, Gambling addiction” said, “I lost 30, 000 dollars on gambling. It was my retirement money.” Unbelievable isn’t it?

The IR turns from a job creator to a job destroyer.
More and more people would fall into this gambling vicious cycle. They would keep trying and trying for a big win and keep losing and losing money, job and family. After all, we are kiasu people.

So, after weighing the pros and cons, is the IR still worth it?

I seriously doubt so.