The casino, which will see its soft-opening that day, will have its first play during an auspicious hour at a private ceremony and the public will be allowed through its doors at 12.18pm.

Attractions such as the Lake of Dreams and evening previews of the Universal Studios theme park will make its debut that day. However, rides and shows will not be operational.

Mr Tan Hee Teck, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RWS said that the rides and shows in theme park are still undergoing fine-tuning.

Opening hours for Universal Studios will be from 5pm to 9pm every night from February 14 to 21. Admission costs $10.

Universal Studios Singapore will open on February 22, 2010 to Resorts World Sentosa, Genting, and Universal employees followed by limited audiences of staff families, charities and invited guests.

It is expected to open to public in early March

The casino levy can be bought at 11.18 am on Friday, February 12, 2010. Singapore citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents can purchase the levy from counters outside the Resorts World Sentosa casino and online at www.rwsentosa.com.

MID-DAY BEST FOR BUSINESS

A Chinese astrologer said a midday opening time, which falls on the Year of Metal Tiger under Chinese zodiac signs, is supposed to be the most propitious for business.

"Midday is supposed to be the hottest time of the day," Thai Feng Shui master Panuwat Punvichartkul told Reuters.

"And this year is the year of a high-spirited Tiger. This will give a double boost to the casino with a very brisk and bright business future."

The casino secured its licence on Feb. 6, but a purported opening on Thursday or Friday this week never materialised.

"Month ends, particularly year-ends, aren’t considered to be particularly auspicious for the truly traditional Chinese, as they mark an end," said blogger auntieLucia.

Genting, a unit of Malaysian casino operator Genting Bhd, will also allow the public to visit its Universal Studios theme park on Feb 14, although the rides will only be operational in early March.

Resorts World secures bragging rights as Singapore’s first casino ahead of Las Vegas Sands, whose facility at Marina Bay Sands is under construction and unlikely to open before June.

Deutsche Bank on Monday forecast Genting would make $1.7 billion in gross gaming revenue in its first year. But it also suggested Genting shares may later fall, as happened with Hong Kong-listed firms after the opening of their Macau casinos.