The Checkmate - Gaming & Operations

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Furthermore, to make sure that the layout of the proposed casino fulfills the regulations, a casino layout plan consisting of the detailed floor plans which indicate the boundaries of the casino premises, size of each gaming areas and placement of the gaming tables and machines, size of each ancillary area, all entrances and exits etc. has to be submitted to the Authority. Statement by a registered surveyor certifying the total of all the gaming areas, ancillary areas and major aisles is to be included as well. Moreover, description of how the gaming areas are to be clearly separated from the ancillary areas and a statement by the person in charge is also to be submitted.

Once the fitting-out is completed, casino operator should not make any more changes to the casino layout. Any proposed change in casino layout has to be notified within 7 days. If the regulations are not being followed closely, the casino operator shall be liable to disciplinary action.

Most importantly, operating a casino without a valid license is not allowed. To apply for the license, the application fee and related documents would be required. The casino also has to make sure that all games played are approved by the Authority. The games have to be conducted or played in accordance with the rules of the games approved.

The casino also has to collect entry levy of $100 for every consecutive 24 hours at the counters outside the casino or online from any Singapore citizen or permanent resident. On the other hand, the patrons can pay $2000 for an annual membership of the casino. It is also important to note that the casino should not allow any excluded person to enter or remain on the casino premises. Any winnings from an excluded person or a minor would also be forfeited. The winnings would be forfeited to the Consolidated Fund. The casino operator would also face disciplinary action if acts such as prostitution, unlicensed money lending or drunken and disorderly behaviour are committed by the employees, patrons or other persons within the casino premises.

Apart from the legislations regarding the operation of the casino, it is also important to note the regulations regarding the advertising and promotion of the casino in Singapore. No publication or distribution of casino advertisement is to be carried out in Singapore without the approval of the Authority. Organising, promoting or conducting a junket without license granted from the Authority is also not permitted. However, the Authority may permit publication of casino promotion whose principal market is not Singapore. Any promotion on Internet website of the casino operator would only be permitted if it is directly offered to tourists. The publication of such casino promotions can be distributed in areas such as hotels which are registered under the Hotel Acts, within the premises of Changi Airport, or a tourist information centre.

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The Checkmate

The Checkmate has 13 different game types. Electronic table games include Blackjack, Baccarat and Sic Bo. (Refer to Table 1 of Appendices for the minimum and maximum bets)

2.1 Traditional Games

Our casino has six traditional games, which include Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, Craps, Texas Poker, and Slots.

Blackjack is the most popular table game because of its easy-to-understand rules. The house has an advantage (8%) because the player has to draw first and if he busts, the player automatically losses regardless if the dealer subsequently busts in the same round.

Baccarat has one of the lowest house advantages but can be played by anyone as it is strictly a game of chance. Playing the game is fairly simple because there are only three different wagering options, and each hand is played according to a fixed set of rules. Baccarat is highly attractive to high rollers as players usually need a lot of money to play.

Roulette (single-zero wheel) decreases the house edge from 5.26 to 2.7, and is now an instant favourite among casino patrons.

Craps is a game of luck. The outcome of the game itself depends on the result of the dice throw and players wager on the outcome of the game. It is hard for players to make money in the long run because of the house edge. But if they are playing to entertain themselves then the casino edge will not matter to them.

Texas hold-em is the poker game of choice today. More and more people are playing it, in casinos, in tournaments, and at home. Poker is a favourite among the high rollers as it requires a variety of strategies to have an advantage over other players.

Slots are played by more casino visitors than any other game and account for the majority of a casino's winnings (returns from 85% to 100%, house edge of 9%). They are simple to use, inexpensive to maintain, and require little attention or player skill.

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Non-traditional Games

The two special non-traditional games in our casino include Blackjack Switch and In Betweens. Other popular non-traditional games include Keno, Race and Sports, Three Card Poker, Sic Bo and Pai Gow.

2.2.1 Blackjack Switch

This game has more house advantage. Firstly, natural blackjacks are paid 1:1 instead of 3:2, this allows the casino to have lesser payout. Secondly, in the case of dealer getting a hand of 22 is not a bust, but rather a push against surviving players other than natural blackjacks. This is a huge house advantage as if the dealer gets a hand of 22, the house would not have to pay. Thirdly, players are betting on two hands, which allow the house to generate more revenue. The reason why players would want to play this game is because it is a test of their skills from the normal rules of blackjack. Therefore, players who play blackjack switch are less concerned about the money earned or loss. (Figure 5 of Appendices for the rules of play)

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In Betweens

For this game, a player must first have an initial bet, and after the spread is being announced, the player can choose to match the initial bet or surrender. This allows the house to earn half the initial bet should the player choose to surrender, which not many games have this option. Next, should the player choose to match, the player must feel that he has a good chance of winning. However, this game is more