Those attending the conference include players from major casinos in Asia, Europe and the USA, clubs, hotels, cruise liners and leisure and gaming institutions.

Discussions will be raised on issues such as gaming in Asia and its prospects, challenges to new entrants to the gaming market, online betting and balancing the economics of gambling against the need for regulation.

The keynote speakers are from casino operators such as SJM from Macau and Harrah's Entertainment from the United States.

The conference will also be Asia's largest showcase for the latest gaming machines and products.

The ACE has been held in Singapore before - under name Gaming & Casinos World Asia Pacific - but it is this year that the presence of industry players finds resonance, following the Government's announcement in a March sitting of Parliament that it was considering opening a high-rollers casino in Sentosa.

The casino could sit within an international resort playground with white sand beaches, marinas, spas, gourmet restaurants and high-end fashion malls.

Singapore has, through the years, rejected the idea of casinos for fear that the social ills of addiction to gambling would take hold, but the Government now thinks that the economic gains to be reaped for the service and tourism sectors should not be foregone.