Insight MYANMAR
MYANMAR COVETS GAMING REVENUE, BUT BILL FACES LONG PARLIAMENTARY ROAD
Myanmar, which is emerging from decades of political and economic isolation, is the latest Asian nation to consider opening up its gambling industry to boost government revenue. This report was first published in Asia Gaming Brief
Myanmar is currently drafting a gambling law that is expected to allow for foreigner only casinos in hotels to further capitalise on an already booming tourism industry. However, the bill still faces considerable parliamentary hurdles and needs support from President Thein Sein.
The drafting of the law was confirmed by a director of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, U Myo Win Nyunt, and has led to increasing speculation over the category of hotels that may be granted a licence.
"We haven't issued any licences for casinos yet because it is still considered a type of illegal gambling," Mr. Nyunt told local media. He added a gambling law was drafted by the Ministry of Home Affairs. But legal sources in the capital Yangon say there are still several steps before the bill would be passed by parliament. These include a review by the Attorney General's Office, before being presented to lawmakers where the bill would be reviewed.
The legislation needs to pass both houses of parliament before submission to the President and if cleared would be re submitted to the joint houses for final consideration.
The bill is expected to allow for the issuance of casino licenses to hotels with at least three stars, most likely near border crossings. Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, shares borders, among others, with Thailand, China and India, which all prohibit gambling.
It would also bring a clear regulatory framework to operations in the country. Myanmar is reported to have at least four mainstream casinos located
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Thein Sein President Myanmar.
and restaurants is the Chinese Renminbi. There are also reports of widespread illegal operations in other areas of the country. Myanmar also has an official state lottery, although many punters prefer the illegal and underground lottery that is also cheaper to play.
Myanmar has become more accessible for business after President Thein Sein, a general-turned-civilian, ended sanctions with the West in 2013. The President bolstered international trade ties and lifted the country out of political isolation, making integrated resort-style investment opportunities a reality.
in the border regions of the country, though also has a great number of smaller, highly shadowy facilities.
The northern township of Tachilek, near the border with Thailand, has two gambling facilities. Kawthaung, at the southernmost tip of Myanmar, has the Treasure Island Resort and Casino, which is reported to be the largest, offering 22 table games and 150 gaming and video poker machines.
In the town of Mong La, bordering China in Shan state, the casino and gaming business has been revived in recent years after being shut down by Chinese officials prior to 2003. Reports say since the revival the city has some 20 casinos most of which are Chinese owned.
The only currency of trade at the gaming tables
Poverty and low incomes have meant that few locals have the funds to play and stay at the resorts, leaving them predominantly populated by Thais and Chinese.
The Andaman Club Resort on the southern Myerik (Mergui) archipelago had a casino and was popular with domestic travellers from Yangon, as well as Thais who accounted for 80 of the clientele.
The resort, previously known as Victoria Point, was recognised as the only international gambling facility in Myanmar on the Andaman Sea. However, the hotel is currently undergoing major renovations over the 2014/15 period and is not expected to reopen until 205/16 during the high season.
Laurent Kuenzle, chief executive officer of Bangkok based travel agency, Asian Trails, says casino tourism in Myanmar could be attractive to Chinese tourists in particular, but also to Indians and Thais.
Kuenzle pointed in particular to the high number of Thai gamblers currently travelling to gamble in casinos along the border with Cambodia. Moves by Myanmar to allow licensed casinos comes against the backdrop of a tourism boom, albeit from a lower base than most regional neighbours.
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