Myanmar is set to legalize casino gambling in a bid to boost the local tourism industry and attract foreign investors
Casino gambling will become legal in Myanmar in May when the nation’s 2018 Gambling Law is set to take effect. Select hotels around the country will be able to add casino operations under the new law. However, Myanmar residents will not be permitted to gamble at the new venues.
Local news outlet the Myanmar Times reported that President U Win Myint has recommended the proposed amendments to the country’s Gambling Law from 1986 and it is now up to the Parliament to approve the legislation. Lawmakers are set to resume work after this year’s Thingyan (Burmese New Year Festival) in mid-April.
News about the southeast Asian country’s plan to legalize casino gambling first emerged in 2017 when the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism requested the permission of casinos at selected hotels across islands that are popular with international tourists.
The legislation allowing casinos on the territory of Myanmar was jointly drafted that year by the Ministry for Union Government Office and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
While casinos are currently not permitted in the country, there are several operational gambling venues of this type on remote islands and border areas, including in the self-administered zones of Kokant and Wa.
The new Gambling Law will aim to curb unregulated operations, to create a tax revenue source from legal gambling services, and to boost the local tourism industry. However, it is yet to be determined whether the new rules and regulations would apply to already existing casinos in self-administered zones.
Residents Banned from Casinos
Myanmar is one of a few countries in the region that do not operate legal casinos. According to Dr Myat Nyarna Soe, Secretary of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Joint Bill Committee which drafted the new legislation, the nation can no longer ignore the illegal border casinos as well the gambling venues operating in neighboring countries.
Under the new law, only foreign visitors of Myanmar will be able to gamble at the local casinos. To prevent nationals from gambling, the venues will require passport identification.
Myanmar citizens will be able to operate casinos and to be employed at the facilities. However, gambling at those will be strictly prohibited and punishable under the new law. In addition, casino operators allowing residents of the country to gamble will face fines and sentences and will be forced to shut their operations down.
The new law will allow casinos to be established at hotels in Mandalay and Yangon. The new venues are expected to draw both local and international investors and to boost the nation’s coffers with additional tax revenue.
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