SINGAPORE – Singapore’s first casino opened for business on Sunday, the first day of the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese lunar calendar.
When pronounced in the Cantonese dialect, 12.18 sounds like ‘prosperity’, said the Straits Times.
The US$4.4 billion resort features Southeast Asia’s first Universal Studios movie theme park, which also opened for a week of previews from Sunday.
“We have waited a long time for this. Today’s opening of the casino is a milestone for Resorts World Sentosa, for Genting Group and for Singapore,†said Genting Group chairman, Lim Kok Thay.
The new casino was so packed within hours of opening that it had to shut its doors for 2-1/2 hours. Those already inside were having trouble placing a bet or just finding a seat at the gaming tables and slot machines. Outside, people were asked to wait.
With the majority of punters hailing from elsewhere, the overseas visitors’ queue stretched for at least 100m for most of Sunday, the day the casino opened. Staff rushed to dispense free water and snacks to appease the crowds.
Singapore’s second casino complex, Marina Bay Sands, is being developed by US-based Las Vegas Sands and is expected to open in April.
