RWS in levy probe by CRA

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http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC120712-0000055/RWS-in-levy-probe

TODAY has learnt that a Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) probe against Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) is underway over alleged reimbursements of casino entry levies.

The investigation, which started almost a year ago, is understood to allegedly involve hundreds of incidences of these illegal reimbursements.

The probe is believed to have prompted the integrated resort to take the decision to suspend several senior executives, including one Senior Vice-President.

When contacted, the CRA and RWS were tight-lipped. In response to TODAY's queries, a CRA spokesperson said the authority is "unable to comment on current investigations, if any".

Under the Casino Control Act, Singaporeans and permanent residents have to pay S$100 for a day-pass to a casino. The casino operators are not allowed to reimburse the levies, which are collected by the Singapore Totalisator Board for public, social, or charitable uses.

Breaches of the Act can see CRA take one or more of the following disciplinary actions: Cancel or suspend the casino license, vary the terms of the license, issue a letter of censure, or impose a financial penalty up to S$1 million.

Multiple reimbursements can constitute just one breach.

In May last year, RWS was fined S$200,000 for illegal reimbursements of casino entry levies.

The penalty was for an incident in July 2010 when a senior management staff member paid for the entry levies of more than 10 reporters and photographers covering the launch of the casino's Ladies Club.