Mohibul Haque, secretary of Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry in Bangladesh, has announced plans to develop “exclusive tourist zones” in the country that would include casino resorts. Entry to the gaming venues would be restricted to tourists with international passports.
Haque said his ministry supports the government’s crackdown on illegal gaming but added, “There should be no problem in providing such facilities for our foreign tourists in the exclusive tourist zone.”
Up to 90 percent of the Bangladesh population is Muslim, a faith that frowns on gambling. Haque pointed out that Malaysia is also a predominantly Muslim country that allows foreign tourists to gamble at the Genting Highlands resort. “Malaysia has casinos where tourists enter after showing their passports,” he said. “We are not providing such facilities at the moment. We will build an exclusive tourist zone where these facilities will be available for the foreigners.”
Casino zones in the country could be sited in Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira, according to local media.
