S'pore casinos feel little cushion from junket operators

Singapore

SINGAPORE'S two casinos have wanted nothing to do with the often-questionable gaming middlemen who provide credit to their customers and collect the money they owe.

But the gambling houses in Macau get around China's currency controls by relying on such individuals, the so-called "junket operators", to extend credit to mainland high rollers. It is a business model that has been linked to organised crime groups known as triads - and the extra-legal services provided by these junket operators have included debt collection and the running of vice rings in the casinos, said Steve Vickers, chief executive officer at risk consultant Steve Vickers & Associates.

Lately, though, Singapore's two casinos appear to be paying the price of its gove…