ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF INTEGRATED RESORTS

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ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF INTEGRATED RESORTS:

2\. Mr Calvin Cheng asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (a) when is the first review on the economic and social impact of the Integrated Resorts on Singapore planned to take place; and (b) whether the social impact of gambling will be closely monitored until the time of review.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The question was the economic impact of the Integrated Resorts. The resorts have really just opened. Yesterday, you would have heard the explanation from the Minister for Trade and Industry that it is too early to assess the full economic impact in view of the fact that these are early days.

Similarly, it is also too early to assess the social impact of gambling because of the fact that they have just started. My Ministry works with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and I will give the Member the assurance that we will closely monitor and address all the problems that will arise from casino gambling. The NCPG regularly releases statistics on the calls to the NCPG gambling helpline, as well as the number of exclusions. There has been a rise in number but this is not unexpected given the fact that there has been additional publicity in the last couple of months and the novelty that the two casinos have just opened. It does not necessarily indicate an absolute increase in the numbers but, nevertheless, this is something which we will watch closely. We have also stepped up our public education efforts to publicise the helpline number. And Members would have seen some of these advertisements on television, or at bus stops and other media.

The Government will continue to monitor the situation. As and when social problems arise, I give Members the

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assurance that MCYS and all the Ministries will do our part to address these concerns.