It’s only six years since gambling legislation was enacted in Singapore and only two years
The SkyPark Infinity Pool
since the first casinos were actually opened. Singapore’s conservative nature ensured that only two casinos would be built to begin with. Resorts World Sentosa & Marina Bay Sands have an exclusivity agreement that will last for some years yet. Gambling laws in the city are among some of the toughest in the world, especially with regards to local Singaporeans, but that hasn’t stopped Singapore from climbing to second place on the Asian gaming revenue league, some distance behind Macau but with only two casinos.
Singapore’s two casinos are part of what they call integrated resorts, partly to take the focus away from the casinos and partly because they are much more than just focused gaming arenas. They are holiday destinations in themselves.
Las Vegas Sands was the chosen bidder to develop this particular site. It was an incredible undertaking, costing around $8 billion finally and the company said it was “one of the world’s most challenging construction projects and certainly the most expensive stand-alone integrated resort property ever built.”
So we already know it’s not just a casino – it’s a three tower, 55 storey hotel complex containing 2.561 rooms, it features multiple outstanding restaurants and bars. There’s a gigantic shopping mall and perhaps the piece de resistance – the SkyPark, a 150m infinity pool hanging 67 metres in the air.
Sands interior.
So you’d imagine there’s a pretty big casino and you’d be right. There are 500 tables available for gaming spread over four levels and featuring every game you can imagine. It’s Singapore so the Chinese influence is evident here with Sic Bo, Baccarat and Singapore Stud Poker. Any other games? They’re also there and can also be played in the exclusive High Limit, Ruby and Paiza areas.
Slots fans won’t be disappointed, there are more than 1600 featured here, many with progressive jackpots. There are also electronic table games for when you still want the machine, but a change from the slots.
Singaporeans and permanent residents are required to pay a fee but as a visitor or tourist you won’t have to. You will have to dress appropriately though, which means no beach wear.
