Aussie state law no protection on Singapore casino debt

Apr 11, 2016 Newsdesk Latest News, Singapore, Top of the deck  

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A Malaysian gambler reportedly with assets in Western Australia – who tried to use that Australian state’s ban on credit-based wagering to nullify a debt of more than SGD620,000 (US$460,000) at Resorts World Sentosa – has had his bid blocked.

Singapore’s Straits Times newspaper reported on Monday that Lim Soo Kok had made the attempt to shake off the debt; said to be owed to Resorts World Sentosa (pictured), a Singapore casino property operated by Genting Singapore Plc.

He had incurred losses when he visited the venue several times during a four-month period prior to March 2013, reported the media outlet.

The Supreme Court of Western Australia dismissed the move to nullify the gambling losses. A judicial officer of the Supreme Court said in his judgement that the Western Australia legislature exercised its power to enact laws that reflect its approach to gambling and the social problems it can cause, but that this does not apply universally, reported the Straits Times.

The Western Australia law prohibiting credit-based gaming does not “in any way” undermine the judgment obtained in Singapore, the judicial officer ruled.

The newspaper reported that the case was significant because it tested whether a Western Australia law that forbids credit-based gambling served as grounds to stop any Singapore judgment on casino gambling from being recognised and enforced there.

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