BEIJING, April 29 --The $5.5 billion Marina Bay Sands casino in Singapore had its soft opening Tuesday, but as it's the second casino to open there in less than three months, concerns are being raised about the potential for gambling addiction.
Located in the financial district, the Marina Bay Sands sits just next to the world's largest observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer, and faces the symbolic Merlion statue, a national monument.
The casino hotel comprises three 55-story towers holding up a large sky-park that provides a full view of the prosperous skyline of the surrounding metropolis.
Different from the island-located Resorts World Sentosa casino that opened on Chinese New Year, the Marina Bay Sands opted for luxury hotels and shopping malls rather than more family-friendly attractions such as a Universal Studios theme park.
The new resort also boasts exhibition and convention facilities, in a bid to cater to the corporate and convention crowd.
