Neoliberalism and the regulation of consumers: Legalizing casinos in Singapore

Abstract

Singapore's recent decision to legalize casinos raises questions such as the following: (i) How does the state address the relationship between the neoliberal values that rationalize the legalization of casinos, on the one hand, and the more locally established ideologies of pragmatism, communitarianism, and multiracialism, on the other? (ii) And since the state wants to encourage gambling among foreigners but not locals, how does it employ techniques of governing - such as the demarcation of zones and subject categories - to regulate gambling? To answer these questions, this paper analyzes a major speech by the prime minister where he discusses the decision to legalize casinos. By focussing on the stances adopted in the speech, the paper shows how the state attempts to allocate responsibility for the various potential implications of legalizing casinos. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.