Marina Bay Sands & Resorts World: Inside Singapore’s 2 Giant Casinos

The island country of Singapore is one of the biggest up and coming gaming destinations in the world. Singapore is among the biggest financial hubs, and tax havens, in the world, and it has massive tourism. The tourism here is so big, the number of international visitors in a year is double Singapore's population. There are many reasons to visit this bustling and highly developed country. And casinos are a big part of the pull.

It may surprise you to learn, that Singapore only has 2 landbased casinos. The gambling laws in the country are very strict, and only 2 casino resorts have been given the blessing to open in Singapore. Despite this, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa are really right up there with the very best. If you had to only pick 2 casinos to fit in Las Vegas, or Atlantic City, they would be worth contenders.

Singapore's Two Casino Resorts

The Gambling Regulatory Authority governs gambling in Singapore, according to the Casino Control Act. The GRA was formed in 2022, and the laws regarding gambling are extremely strict. Only lotteries run by the Singapore Pools are recognised by the Authority. Landbased casinos are only permitted if they are within integrated casino resorts (IR). But obtaining the permissions is not an easy job either. The Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa got 30-year licences upon construction. The money and effort that went into building these resorts is truly phenomenal, and set a pretty high bar for casinos in Singapore.

While there may be potential openings and bids in the future to launch new landbased casinos, they wouldn't be built overnight. No, because these venues are also vitally important to sustaining and scaling Singapore's growing tourism.

When it comes to games and what you can expect, there is little to fault about these two integrated resorts. The Singapore-based and Asian gamers tend to gravitate towards table games, specifically baccarat, Pai Gow, and even Sic Bo. Singaporeans are allowed to enter the casinos, but are not exempt from paying the Casino Levy. This is basically an entry ticket that you must pay at both casinos. You can pick between choosing a day ticket, or purchasing an annual pass. But if you are just passing by, or visiting Singapore, you don't need to bother with the annual pass, as it is pretty expensive.

In terms of games, you are really getting the best of both worlds. The Singapore casinos have the same diversity of table games as the largest casinos in Macau. And the collection of slots is just as exciting and voluminous as the top casinos on the Vegas Strip.

Marina Bay Sands Casino Resort

Bayfront Avenue, Downtown Core

Owned by Las Vegas Sands and the Singapore authorities, Marina Bay Sands is unapologetically loud and a tremendous casino resort. When it opened, in 2010, Marina Bay Sands was considered the world's most expensive casino resort, valued at just over $6.8 billion.

You can recognise this resort from way off, as it has three tremendous towers connected by a cantilevered platform at the top. Incidentally, designed to replicate a deck of cards. The casino resort opened in 2011, and instantly began drawing in visitors. Around 25,000 visitors came to the casino daily for the first few days, and in June 2010, the casino had over half a million visitors.

Hotel

The three hotel towers have 1,850 rooms and suites, and they stand 55 storeys tall. The towers are connected at the bottom by a gigantic lobby, and at the top by the rooftop cantilever. This cantilever, also known as Sands SkyPark, is an observation deck where you can get unrivalled views of the bay. But you can also get those from your hotel suites.

There are rooms from 45 square metres up to 145 sqm to pick from. Whether you want views of the Gardens or a City View, Marina Bay Resort has it all. If you book for three nights or more, you can also gain access to the rooftop infinity pool. Families staying for 2+ nights also get S$250 in dining credit.

Restaurants

The majority of the 40+ restaurants and bars can be found in the nearby The Shoppes or the Hotel Tower lobbies and 1st to 3rd floors. But you can also find plenty of rooftop bars and restaurants too, for added atmosphere. In terms of what you are eating, you are not limited by choice. The majority of the restaurants serve world class Chinese and Japanese food. The Wakudu Restaurant and Bar, in the lobby, is managed by Japanese celebrity chef Tetsuya Wakuda. Then, there is the Jin Ting Wan, on Level 55, that serves signature Chinese dishes.

But Marina Bay Sands also provides fine dining Greek, French, Italian, Western and “Other Asian” options. It also has Michelin starred options, such as Cut by Wolfgang Puck (Steakhouse) and Waku Ghin. You will also find a Gordon Ramsay Bread Street Kitchen and many other key restaurants run by renowned chefs. Whether you want to dine on the rooftop, catch a casual drink by the waterfront, or just tuck into something fast, there are more than enough options.

Leisure Facilities

Marina Bay Sands boasts a myriad of attractions, from art museums to light shows and world class shows. The museum here is made all the more exciting with VR experiences and digital interactive installations by teamLab. They also made the Digital Light Canvas, an unbeatable light show. If you want more spectacular shows and events, the Spectra Light & Water Show is a must. This 15 minute extravaganza is held nightly. Marina Bay Sands also has marine activities, such as the Sampa boat rides.

Then, there is the observation deck, with its premium dining experiences, nightly parties, infinity pool, and wellness in the sky sessions. Shoppers will also find their place here, as there are over 170 premier boutiques at The Shoppes. From unique Apple Stores to the floating Louis Vuitton Island Maison, and a tonne of other prestigious luxury brands, Marina Bay Sands is a shopper's haven.

Casino

• 160,000 sq. ft. Casino
• S$150 Casino Levy
• 3,000 Slot Machines
• 600 Gaming Tables

When you are finally ready for the casino, prepare for an experience like nowhere else. The casino at Marina Bay Sands is spread out across 4 storeys, and there is a 4-level atrium unifying the spaces. To enter, you must be at least 21 years old and pay the Casino Levy.

It is S$150 to enter the casino for the first time, and you can use this daily pass for 24 hours after activation. Casino security is very strict here, and if you enter the casino without a pass, you will have to pay a hefty fine. While you can take some gaming chips home as a souvenir, it is a criminal offence to remove more than S$10,000 from the MBS integrated resort.

The casino boasts over 3,000 gaming machines, which is better than the majority of Las Vegas Strip casinos. It is a gaming zone like no other, with endless rows of table games, slot machine aisles, and tremendous jackpots up for grabs. You can play slots, video poker, or electronic traditional games on the multi-station games. And the betting limits are flexible, accommodating players of all budgets.

Within the table games, there are traditional versions of baccarat, poker, blackjack and roulette. But you can also find popular variants, such as double zero roulette, Fortune Pai Gow poker, Megalink Texas Hold'em bonus progressive, and Blackjack Lucky 8, among many others. Dice games are also provided here, with a focus on Sic Bo and craps.

Resorts World Sentosa

Sentosa Island

Resorts World Sentosa is an island resort that is just 30 minutes by car from the Singapore Changi Airport. The island of Sentosa is accessible by car, from the West Coast Highway, you can drive across the Sentosa Gateway bridge. Resorts World Sentosa opened in 2010, and cost around $5 billion to construct.

Owned by Genting Singapore, a subsidiary of the Malaysian company Genting Group, RWS is one of the most prestigious integrated resorts in Asia.

Hotels

The resort layout consists of 6 hotels, with a total of 1,840 rooms. Each hotel within the resort has its own theme and design, with iconic views of the harbour and mainland skylines. Crockfords Tower, Hotel Michael, Hotel Ora, and the Hard Rock Hotel all sit in the central zone of the resort. In the West zone, there is the Equarius Hotel and the Equarius Villas.

Crockfords Tower is one of the more luxurious hotels in the resort, with VIP suites and business class rooms. Hotel Ora, formerly Festive Hotel, is more of a family oriented hotel, whereas Hotel Michael, named after artist Michael Graves, appeals to art lovers and connoisseurs of fine living. But if you are looking for a more beach-themed retreat with direct access to the harbour, then the Equarius Villas are the ideal place to stay.

Restaurants

Resorts World Sentosa is bustling with restaurants and bars, from casual dining and buffets to the finer eats and masterful kitchens. The majority of the restaurants here make authentic Chinese or Asian cuisine, but there are also a handful of international kitchens to explore, and a few fusions that are bound to leave an impression. From the finest Chinese-Peruvian flavour fusions at CHIFA! to the Feng Shui Inn authentic Cantonese dishes, you won't get bored of the eats at this resort.

There are also steakhouses, seafood grills, Michelin-starred diners, and Italian carnival food to behold. Whether you are looking for a quick laid-back bite, or to celebrate a special occasion, Resorts World Sentosa gives you plenty of options.

Leisure Facilities

The grand focus here isn't the wellness facilities, beaches or even the boutique retailers. No, Resorts World Sentosa is famous for its massive theme park and aquarium. The Universal Studios Singapore theme Park is in the East Zone of the resort, and it was the first to open in Southeast Asia. There are immersive rides, carousels, game booths, and loads more. From the Minions dance floors and rides to the Jurassic Park dinosaurs, or the Far Far Away castle from Shrek, this is really a world of its own.

That's not all though, as there is a full on Harry Potter: Visions of Magic immersive them park, and the epic Adventure Cove Waterpark. Or, the Singapore Oceanarium, which is one of the largest in the world, featuring over 100,000 marine animals.

Casino

• 160,000 sq. ft. Casino
• S$150 Casino Levy
• 2,400 Slot Machines
• 500 Gaming Tables

The Resorts World Sentosa casino is a vast gaming venue that is packed full of high quality gaming machines and tables. Just like at the Marina Bay Sands Casino, there is a Casino Levy, which is also S$150 for a day ticket. There is also a smart dress code, and you can't conceal your face with glasses, masks or hats upon entry. The Resorts World Casino is open 24/7, and the games are spread across 2 floors. There are over 2,000 top quality slots, including games packed with player centric features and lucrative bonus rounds. Standalones, linked slots, and progressive jackpots are all dispersed across the massive casino floor.

Resorts World Sentosa casino also has a tremendous volume of table games. These include the Asian favourite, baccarat, as well as poker, blackjack, roulette, and other regional specialities like Sic Bo and Pai Gow. You will also find gaming tables with progressive jackpots, baccarat variants and even themed tables.

One of the great perks of Resorts World Sentosa is its VIP gaming experiences. High rollers can flourish here in the exclusive gaming areas, with premium service, special casino hosts, and higher stakes tables. The casino easily rivals the biggest in Las Vegas, or the most popular casinos in Macau. And while it does have these expensive VIP gaming packages, it caters to pretty much to all gamers. Locals can get here easily by car or by using shuttle buses. The casino is accessible, massive, and it has a diverse range of popular games.