Bali Nixes Casino Plan. Officials in Bali have turned thumbs-down on a casino plan that proponents say could transform the impoverished Buleleng Regency area.
Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih, chairman of the Indonesia Young Entrepreneurs Association, is spearheading the idea. He says a casino would fund improvements in infrastructure, waste management and traffic management. He estimates a resort development could generate up to Rp13 trillion (US$820.95 million) for the local economy.
Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economies Sandiaga Uno rejected suggestions that the government is open to a casino development. He told reporters, “There is no such thing as plans for building a casino. So just say straight away that there is no such plan.”
Sri Lanka Casino a Go too. In July, Golden Island Hospitality Ltd. and Majestic Group Hotels and Casinos inked a deal to develop a casino in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. The Ministry of Finance granted a gaming license to Golden Island under the Casino Act of 2010.
The Majestic Pride Casino will be based at the iconic Lotus Tower, Sri Lanka’s tallest skyscraper. The development partners say it will become a premier tourist destination and create jobs for local youth.
