Judging from the swanky wheels parked at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), it appears that amid the thousands of punters at Singapore’s first casino over the long Chinese New Year weekend, were several local high-rollers.
Valets revealed that they had parked or seen at least 20 Ferraris, Lamborghinis and other high-end cars. Their owners had mostly arrived late in the evening and left the next afternoon. Many Singaporeans were also seen taking photographs of the cars, most sporting local licence plates.
For high-rollers, defined by the casino as those with at least S$100,000 (RM243,711) in credit to gamble, there are 120 private gaming rooms with concealed entrances. Personal butlers attend to their every need, serving bite-sized delicacies, drinks and cigars. Those gambling in the common playing area are unable to peer into the upper-level rooms which ensconced these high-rollers.
On teh first night, more than 60,000 visited the casino. Apparently, more than a third of the gamblers were Malaysians and RWS had supposedly raked in an estimated S$40 million in the first two days.
With the Chinese New Year holiday over, fewer visitors are expected from today (17 February 2010). But yesterday, due to the overwhelming number of overseas patrons, the queue for foreigners was allowed to spill onto the second level, to prevent some of the disorder seen on the first day.
Despite this, some tourists had to wait for up to two hours under the sun — leaving them hot and bothered under the collar. However. Mr S Raghaven from India, who stood in line for about 90 minutes, said the wait was to be expected because of the festive season.
Other glitches were also still being sorted out.
Several cashback machines broke down yesterday, leading to a delay — of up to 30 minutes in some cases — before patrons could collect their winning profits. The croupiers were also get better with time. According to an RWS spokesman,“They started training as early as August last year ... but nothing beats the real thing ... many are learning on the job,” she admitted.
But despite the teething problems, there was a general carnival atmosphere all round.
A 19-year-old guide, hired to help direct the crowds soke of the visitor pattern she had picked up after three days on the job.Older folk typically arrive in the afternoon, excitedly discussing their game strategies, said the teen, who is waiting to enter university.Younger gamblers arrive after dinner, talking about which games would help to earn them the most profits.
