Integrated Resorts As An Entertainment Hub

By Author: Anthony W Bills
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Integrated Resorts as an Entertainment Hub

Introduction
Integrated Resorts (IR) is a name given to Singaporean euphemism for casino based resorts. There are several resorts that have been licensed to operate as IRS including marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. They have been licensed and have begun their operations (Low, 2005).
Gambling was briefly legalized and licensed in 1823 by the British colony of Singapore though was later banned and criminalized as it was addictive and increased the rates of crime. Since then, the legal gambling is run by the government through lottery operator, Singapore pools. In 2005, through the prime minister, it was announced that the government intends to open two casinos and associated hotels in Marina South and Sentosa. The main aim of these IRs is to boost the country’s tourism industry which has been facing a stiff competition from other neighboring destinations including Hong-Kong and Bangkok. The IRs are believed to be a success in the country because Malaysia have legalized casinos and is popular especially with the Singaporean tourists. Though ...
... other destinations have also considered legalizing casinos, Singaporean IRs would be in a better succeeding position because they are government projects. IRs is estimated to create 35,000 new jobs both directly and indirectly (Low, 2005).
Objectives of the study
• To change the perception that the IRs are more than Casions
• To create awareness that they are a “Global Entertainment Hub”.
• To focus and enhance global visibility and recognition of the IRs as “Global Entertainment Hub” to Singaporeans and the growing tourism pie as a ultimate "must-go" destination for both leisure and business visitors.
• To earn revenue on a long term basis from ventures in world class entertainment, events.
• To network in the interest of entertainment industry locally.
Literature review
The plan of building casinos was a subject of discussion among the Singaporeans. Most of the groups that are allied to religions groups like Muslims and Christians were fully opposing the plan of building casinos. On the other hand, those allied to social workers also rejected the plan and were calling for the national community to reject the plan. The reason that was been voted for is that the community was worried about the negative social impact the casinos may have including increase of crimes and impulsive gambling (Developing Industries, 2010).
On the other hand, activists also claimed that casinos would lead to other undesirable activities like frauds, money laundering and also loan sharks. Organized crimes were also associated with the casinos and they claimed all mission and plans of crimes would be done there (Singapore News, 2006).
Though establishment of casinos was faced with heavy critics, there are also some advantages that would be brought about by the IRs. They include:
• Improving the country’s economy through having more tourists visiting them
• The would be used as recreation and entertainment hubs
• This will also change the perception people have on casinos
Methodology
The research will depend on both primary and secondary data. The paper will heavily rely on books, articles, websites and also live interviews from different people in order to establish whether the IRs are indeed supposed to be made global entertainment hubs. The paper will on the other hand be qualitative and quantitative.

References
Developing Industries (2010) Integrated Resorts, Ministerial Speeches & Comments. Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore. http://app.mti.gov.sg/data/pages/606/doc/Ministerial%20Statement%20-%20PM%2018apr05.pdf. Retrieved 2011-02-23.
Low, T. (2005). "Casinos in Integrated Resorts". The Workers' Party of Singapore. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. http://web.archive.org/web/20071013150613/http://www.wp.org.sg/speeches/ltk/20050419_casino_debate.htm. Retrieved 2011-02-23
Singapore News (2006). Channel NewsAsia. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/210501/1/.html. Retrieved 2011-02-23.

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