As the gambling world clamors to expand in heavily restricted Asian gambling markets, Singapore -- soon to be the second-largest gaming city by revenue -- is seen as the best bet around. Las Vegas Sands
Steve Wynn recently made his desires for a Wynn Resorts
Talking about Singapore is one thing, operating there has been something else. As the two players there have found out, you don't want to mess with Singapore gaming regulators.
Party time is over
Las Vegas Sands and Genting have been warned that regulators are preparing to "commence a full-scope inspection of the casinos this year" to crack down on any sloppy operations. Resorts World had to pay $427,000 in fines last month for a variety of minor violations, like paying casino entry levies for media members.
We know that Singapore put the kibosh on Las Vegas Sands' desire to sell its Marina Bay Sands mall until at least 2017, and while companies may be able to bend rules in the U.S. by lobbying, they are finding out there's no wiggle room to the rules set in Singapore.
Still the best bet on the floor
Regulations or not, betting on Singapore casinos is one of the best bets out there. But Las Vegas Sands is the only U.S.-traded stock operating there, and competitors have a long wait to join the game. That doesn't mean that Wynn, Melco Crown
Interested in reading more about Wynn Resorts' efforts to get into Singapore? Click here to add the stock to My Watchlist, and My Watchlist will find all of our Foolish analysis on the stock.