CRA is prepared to combat crime in IRs
The Casino Regulatory Authority, or CRA, is ready to combat crime and other social problems when the two Integrated Resorts open their doors in the near future.
It has been working with the other local agencies, especially the Home Team to meet possible challenges in such areas, said its Chairman, Richard Magnus,
CRA has also tied up with its more experienced international counterparts from countries such as the United States and Australia to develop its mastery in regulating gaming centres.
Singapore's first Integrated Resort, the Marina Bay Sands will be opening its doors later this year.
And in 2010, the republic will witness the launch of its second IR, Resorts World at Sentosa.
Speaking at CRA's inaugural workplan seminar, Mr Magnus said, to shape the policies and regulations that the two attractions have to adhere to, the authority will set up a new Casino Licensing Application System.
This technology, the first of its kind to be used by a casino regulator, will be ready by the first half of this year.
"Technology is used to minimise the hassle and tedium of filling out the voluminous Personal History Declaration Form to achieve the efficiency for both the regulator and the operator, a pro-business initiative without compromising on security."
Mr Magnus added, over the past three years, CRA has been building a core team of officers with the required skills to regulate the casinos well.
They'll import their knowledge to their newer colleagues to hasten the steep learning process.
"A comprehensive and intensive training preparation plan has also been specially developed to train and prepare our officers over the next six months to regulate the two casinos."
CRA also finalised the Technical Standards for Electronic Gaming Machines or EGMs earlier this year.
"EGMs deployed in our casinos must be fair, secure, reliable and auditable. In the casino industry, IT uses and application are a core nerve of the operations. Over the next few months, there will be many more regulations and standards which we will be publishing."
Mr Magnus said, the authority has ramped up its recruitment efforts and already employs more than 70 people.
This is well past the halfway mark of the full staff strength it aims to achieve before the opening of the casinos.
--938Live