The world is like a reverse casino. In a casino, if you gamble long enough, you’re certainly going to lose. But in the real world, where the only thing you’re gambling is, say, your time or your embarrassment, then the more stuff you do, the more you give luck a chance to find you.
― Scott Adams
THIS is certainly an interesting idea to ponder. It would also be interesting to see how the various stakeholders react to it.
Will the Sarawak government be receptive to the idea? I guess we just have to wait and see.
Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, did not rule out the possibility of the idea becoming a reality.
“It can be a good enterprise if regulated properly. Singapore is doing it, so, why not? As long as it does not lead to serious social problems,” he was quoted as having said when asked about it.
However, he said, ultimately the decision lies with the state government, which currently owns the property.
Sarawak government wholly owns Borneo Highlands Resort following the Federal Court’s decision early this month to dismiss an application by Borneo Heights Sdn Bhd (BHSB), a subsidiary of Country Heights Sdn Bhd, for leave to appeal against an order made by the Sarawak Superintendent of Lands and Survey to forfeit three parcels of land meant for the development of property.
The property which is about 60km away from Kuching city is located on a 5,000-acre site, about 1,000 meters above sea level and surrounded by the world’s oldest and second-largest tropical rainforest, on the Sarawak-Kalimantan border. It is accessible via the Puncak Borneo Road.
A lawmaker, Christopher Gira Sambang said he was hopeful that the Sarawak government would give the proposal its due consideration.
According to the Tamin assemblyman, the proposal to build a casino in Sarawak was nothing new, saying the issue was first raised way back in 2017.
“I mentioned the same idea on July 23, 2017. Hopefully, the state government would consider it seriously,” he said in a statement.
Then, he said he was proposing that a theme park and casino be set up in Tunoh, Kapit division.
American Gaming Association (AGA), which represents commercial gambling facilities in America, said casinos were great employers and revenue sources for local governments.
The association claimed that casinos were relatively resilient even during a recession, adding that Americans were cutting back on entertainment but not cutting casinos out of their lives.
It is without a doubt that casinos will provide ample job opportunities as their development will always be combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants and retail outlets, among other facilities. In addition to that, casinos normally require a big workforce, from dealers and pit bosses to security personnel and administrative staff.
They can also contribute immensely towards generating revenue through taxes and fees paid to the government. This revenue can then be used to fund public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
They can also stimulate the local tourism and hospitality industries as well as provide entertainment and leisure opportunities for the local community. Several casinos around the world have contributed positively to the development of their respective countries.
They include Marina Bay Sands, Singapore; The Venetian, Macau; City of Dreams, Manila; Monte Carlo Casino, Monaco and; Crown Casino, Melbourne.
The Marina Bay Sands, a casino resort owned by Las Vegas Sands Corporation, opened in 2010 and has been credited with helping transform Singapore’s tourism industry.
The casino is said to have generated significant revenue for the government, employs thousands of workers, and has been praised for its innovative design and sustainability features.
The Venetian, which is one of the largest casinos in the world and generates billions of dollars in revenue each year and employs thousands of workers, many of whom are residents, has been instrumental in helping Macau develop its economy.
City of Dreams, Manila, opened in 2009, has been credited with helping to revitalise Manila’s tourism industry, while the iconic Monte Carlo Casino has been a symbol of luxury and glamour for over a century.
The casino has played a key role in the development of Monaco’s tourism industry and attracts high-rollers from around the world.
However, as in any development, casinos also have their downsides.
These include bringing broken dreams, gambling addiction, debt and crime to the community, as well as traffic congestion and pollution to the area where they are located.
All these can negatively impact the local community, particularly vulnerable populations such as low-income families. The worst would be people’s over-dependence on gambling. They would face economic instability if the industry experiences a downturn as they became too reliant on gambling as a source of revenue.
Looking at the pros and cons, the decision to set up a casino in a local community should be carefully considered, taking into account both the potential benefits and the risks involved.
As such, whether the government should consider setting up a casino will depend on various factors, including the economic and social circumstances of the local community, the potential benefits and drawbacks of a casino, and the regulatory framework in place to govern gambling.
It is crucial that, before making a decision, the government should conduct a thorough analysis of the potential benefits and drawbacks of a casino and engage in dialogue with stakeholders such as community members, industry experts, and advocacy groups.
If the decision is made to proceed with setting up a casino, the government should ensure that robust regulatory frameworks are in place to govern gambling and protect vulnerable populations from harm. This may include measures such as mandatory responsible gambling programmes, strict advertising and marketing regulations, and monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent underage gambling and fraud.
Also of prime importance are the views of the local community, who will be directly affected by the development, and whether the site is suitable.
Despite the pros and cons, the onus lies with the individual. Just like in the popular story of two wolves — the evil and the good one. At the end of the day, the winner will be the one that you feed.
