Myanmar reviewing gaming law to allow casinos: govt

Apr 30, 2018 Newsdesk Latest News, Rest of Asia, Top of the deck  

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An official of Myanmar’s Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development says casinos will be allowed to operate in the country after amendments are made to the Gambling Law, reported the Myanmar Times newspaper.

The government is currently revising the Gambling Law, after which casino operations will be allowed in the country, the newspaper quoted Aung Naing Oo, director-general of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration, as saying. The amendment is being introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, he added.

The ministry official reportedly said that a number of casino operators have shown interest in investing in Myanmar, including companies currently operating in Macau.

The country’s parliament is currently discussing amendments to the Hotel and Tourism Law, reported the Myanmar Times. The newspaper quoted Yan Win, chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Federation, as saying that the revised tourism bill includes a stipulation that allows casinos to operate within hotels. “However, if the Gambling Law is not amended, casinos will not be allowed to operate, even if it is with a hotel,” he reportedly said.

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

It was reported in January that five regional and state chief ministers in Myanmar had asked the central government to grant permission for casino operations in hotels in their respective areas. Senior officials from Mandalay, Tanintharyi, Shan, Kayin and Mon made the representation, reported at the time the Myanmar Times newspaper.

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