• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Myanmar parliament to pass gambling bill in May: report

Apr 01, 2019 Newsdesk Latest News, Rest of Asia, Top of the deck  


Myanmar parliament to pass gambling bill in May: report

Myanmar’s parliament is expected to approve in May a bill that would authorise the setting up of foreigner-only casinos in the country, the Myanmar Times newspaper reported on Sunday. The parliament is expected to sit again later this month after an April holiday break.

The legislative measure – referred to earlier media reports as the Gambling Bill 2018 – is said to include amendments to an existing statute, the Gambling Act 1986. According to the Myanmar Times, the latest bill includes recommendations from the country’s leader, President Win Myint. The detailed rules and by-laws for a casino industry would be decided once the framework legislation was passed, according to previous media reports.

The Myanmar Times reported that – if approved – casinos would be allowed to operate at hotels in Yangon and Mandalay, the country’s two largest cities. The report noted that under the amended gaming bill, only foreigners would be allowed to gamble, and passport verification would be required from would-be customers.

Several casinos are already documented on casino directory websites as operating in the Myanmar portion of the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ – a place where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong Rivers. Most of these venues are located in self-administered zones.

Historically the degree of control Myanmar’s central government has been able to wield over its share of those areas has been limited by conflicts with ethnic-minority groups, according to media reports.

The Myanmar Times quoted Myat Nyarna Soe, secretary of the parliaments’ Joint Bill Committee, as saying that Myanmar’s authorities “can no longer ignore the illegal casinos operating” in some areas of the country.

“We need to legalise casinos in the country and set rules and regulations to make operations systematic. The new industry will also help with tax revenues. We managed to draft the regulations and Hluttaw [the parliament] needs to approve it,” he added.

The Myanmar Times said however that it was still unclear if the new law would be enforced in self-administered areas.

Myanmar’s minister for hotels and tourism, Ohn Maung, said in February last year that the national government was not opposed to casinos being developed in the country, as it was a way to boost the tourism industry.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • U.N. warns about link between Mekong casinos and crime
    U.N. warns about link between Mekong...

    Sep 28, 2023  

  • ASEAN, China agree to jointly fight gambling-related crime
    ASEAN, China agree to jointly fight...

    Sep 27, 2023  

More news
  • Philippine 2023 GGR likely 5pct up on 2019: consultancy
    Philippine 2023 GGR likely 5pct up on...

    Nov 30, 2023  

  • Macau op premium play reinvestment 17pct of GGR: CLSA
    Macau op premium play reinvestment...

    Nov 30, 2023  


Latest News

Philippine 2023 GGR likely 5pct up on 2019: consultancy

Philippine 2023 GGR likely 5pct up on 2019: consultancy

Nov 30, 2023  

Philippine gross gaming revenue (GGR) could be “US$5.0 billion to US$5.2 billion” for full-year 2023, says industry consultancy GCG Gaming Advisory Services Pty Ltd. Anything toward the top of...
Read More
Macau op premium play reinvestment 17pct of GGR: CLSA

Macau op premium play reinvestment 17pct of GGR: CLSA

Nov 30, 2023  

‘Treasure Island’ enriches Pragmatic Play Live Casino offer

‘Treasure Island’ enriches Pragmatic Play Live Casino...

Nov 30, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”The hotel towers, convention hall, and arena are the cornerstones in Phase 1. The resort is mainly aimed at Koreans first”

Chen Si

President of the Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort in South Korea



Most Popular

  • Miriam Adelson selling US$2bln LVS stock to buy sports teamMiriam Adelson selling US$2bln LVS stock to buy sports team November 29, 2023
  • Bruno Mars to perform at MGM Cotai in Jan: MGM ChinaBruno Mars to perform at MGM Cotai in Jan: MGM China November 28, 2023
  • Nomura caution on China economy, China tourism in AsiaNomura caution on China economy, China tourism in Asia November 28, 2023
  • China ents provider iQiyi in deal for Galaxy Arena eventsChina ents provider iQiyi in deal for Galaxy Arena events November 28, 2023
  • Kazuo Okada properly removed from IR op: Philippine courtKazuo Okada properly removed from IR op: Philippine court November 28, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us