Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore has been fined S$600,000 by the Casino Regulatory Authority for partially reimbursing local casino patrons their annual entry levy.
The CRA said it received information from members of the public that they had received complimentary Universal Studios Singapore tickets when they renewed their annual entry levies.
Investigations showed that between February 1 and May 31 last year, RWS staff members conducted a marketing programme offerings locals incentives such as USS tickets, concert tickets and hotel accommodation when they bought or renewed the annual entry levies. About 3,400 locals were partially reimbursed.
Under Singapore’s Casino Control Act, casino operators are prohibited from refunding or reimbursing the entry levy, whether directly or indirectly. Local casino patrons are required to either pay an annual entry levy of S$2,000 or a daily entry levy of S$100.
"Although the marketing programme was implemented by a handful of RWS' staff members, CRA holds RWS responsible for its employees' actions," said the CRA. The authority also took into consideration that RWS failed to submit details of this marketing programme to the CRA, contravening its reporting requirements.
"While we note that RWS has put in place measures to strengthen its compliance processes as a result of this breach, CRA is sending a clear signal to the operator that they should comply fully with the social safeguards put in place to protect locals. Compliance to our laws and regulations must be strictly adhered to at all times," said the CRA's chief executive, Lau Peet Meng.
