Myanmar passes gambling bill

The Legislature approved a bill that would authorise the development of foreigner-only casinos in the country.

Myanmar.- The casino industry is close to arriving in Myanmar after the lower house of the Legislature passed a bill that could authorise foreigner-only venues. The Gambling Bill 2018, which was introduced back in August, is set to include amendments to the existing Gambling Act of 1986 and would expand the industry in the Asian country.

Though the new piece of legislation could mean progress for the segment, legislator Nay Myo Tun asserted that “it is not a casino law” as “the casino law has many sections.” He further explained that the detailed rules and regulations for a casino industry to be installed would be determined after proper framework legislation was passed.

Even though it’s still unclear when the segment might arrive in Myanmar, legislators agree that it won’t be developed for locals. “Only foreigners would be allowed into the casinos,” a member of the parliament said. Lawmaker Aung Hlaing Win also explained that the government would “target areas with the most foreigners, such as near the border” to develop gambling venues.

According to director-general of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration Aung Naing Oo, there has already been interest from a number of casino operators (including some that operate in Macau) to invest in the country should the segment be cleared.