Casinos operate illegally near Thai, Chinese borders
Five regional and state chief ministers in Myanmar have sought permission to operate casinos in hotels in their territories, reports the Myanmar Times.
In December, officials from Mandalay, Tanintharyi, Shan, Kayin and Mon met with Vice President Henry Van Thio and tourism chief Yan Win, chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Federation. The ministers pointed out that tourism to Myanmar from Western and European countries is down 10 percent to 15 percent while Asian markets including Japan, China and South Korea have seen a 20 percent spike.
“Most ASEAN countries legally allow casino gambling but it is still illegal in our country. That is why many chief ministers sought permission to operate casinos in hotels,” U Yan Win told the Times. “The vice president didn’t respond yet but it may happen later on.”
Tourism advisor Khin Zaw added, “If they open up casino gambling in hotels, foreign tourists’ arrival and income would increase. But they should systematically restrict the law for local people. Casino gambling for tourists has a more positive impact than a negative one and we have submitted our requests to the relevant authorities. I hope they will consider it since operating casinos for tourists has many potential upsides for industry.”
The country’s 1986 Gambling Law bans casinos, but many illegal gaming halls reportedly operate in hotels in the Tanintharyi Region and Shan State near the borders of Thailand and China.
TTR Weekly, a travel publication, noted thatU Yan Win has called for foreigners-only casinos in the republic formerly known as Burma
