SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Casino Regulatory Authority says it is reviewing " more than a handful’’ of junket operators to see if they can be given licences to work with the casinos here.
Junket operators usually have strong connections and bring in high rollers.
They act as middlemen and provide credit as well, usually earning a commission based on the amount gambled by the high rollers.
Reports say that in Macau alone, high rollers brought in by junket operators account for almost 70 percent of the industry’s total revenue.
In 2009, Las Vegas Sands chairman Sheldon Adelson said he did not think the Singapore government would allow any junkets.
However, the CRA has never had an outright ban.
Keeping information on such operators close to its chest, CRA refused to say if any licences would be given out by the end of this year.
Speaking to the media at the CRA’s change of command on Wednesday, its outgoing chief Mr T Raja Kumar said checks have to be stringent to prevent organised crime.
He said: " When we do probity checks, we are checking for suitability in terms of the individuals who are involved in the industry as well as check the source of funds to make sure they are legitimate. And when we are satisfied that they meet the requisite requirements then we will proceed to issue licences."
— CNA/ir
Is PROSTITUTION an ORGANIZED CRIME ? ? ? ?
