The More the Merrier

Asia has woken up to the potential of gambling. With affluent societies becoming more tolerant of what some still regard as an activity tainted by Mafia and Triad involvement, the race is on to outdo Las Vegas. What else will Asia’s middle class spend their money on when they already have their cramped apartments chock-full of appliances and gadgets?

Singapore’s media is asking whether the IRs (integrated resorts) being planned at Sentosa Island and Marina Bay can cope with the competition that will arise as Japan, Taiwan, and several other countries legalize casinos.   

With roulette wheels spinning and jackpot machines already whirring in casinos throughout a dozen Asian countries, the inevitable question that springs to mind is: Will there be enough well-heeled customers to feed the industry as more Las Vegas-style super casinos go up in new locations?

The question arises with the distinct possibility of luxury casino complexes coming up in Tokyo and the southern island region of Okinawa by 2012, as Japan moves closer to an overhaul of its strict gambling laws.

Taiwan is also considering lifting its ban on casinos, while Thailand is also seen as likely to relax its gaming laws in the coming years, an AFP report said on Sunday.