Singapore granted its first casino license to the Sands group of Las Vegas fame. Their billion dollar investment in the Marina Bay Sands Resort and Casino is going ahead despite a slowing economy. The project has been called an "integrated resort." The area will feature hotels and a casino, but also malls, theaters, a museum, and a glut of other activities.

The success of casinos from Macau to Cambodia inspired the Sands to move East in search of a replacement for slipping profits in Vegas. In the beginning, they will be the only (legal) game in Singapore. That won't guarantee profits, but should put the casino in pretty good shape.

For tourists, it's just one more attraction for a city already brimming with possibility. Singapore is one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia. In other words, it's a bet you can count on.

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