Tag: Government
Greece’s new prime minister looks to get Hellinikon mega-resort moving
Following years of delays, Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ new government is aiming to get the Hellinikon mega-resort development back on track “as soon as possible”.
Cyprus government believes Melco casinos will drive tourism
Deputy minister of Tourism Savvas Perdios has
affirmed that Cyprus’ government considers Melco International Development an important partner in further developing visitation into the country.
Perdios met Melco International chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho in late January at Cyprus Casinos’ C2 Nicosia.
“We consider Melco an important contributor to Cyprus’ tourism in establishing the island as a popular and must-visit destination,” he...
Goan government disregards onshore casino proposals
Goan Tourism minister Manohar Ajgaonkar has dismissed suggestions that the state’s six offshore casinos could be moved inland during discussions regarding a new draft tourism policy.
The minister offered a simple “no, sir” to the question of new casinos in the area, raised by Nationalist Congress Party minister Churchill Alemao, during a hearing of the state legislative assembly.
“The tourism master...
Nepal: Government moves to close tax loophole
The Nepalese government is looking at introducing new legislation that would empower it to confiscate the personal property of any casino operators which failed to pay their taxes.
The measure forms part of the government’s new regulatory framework for casinos, which forms part of the Federal Tourism Bill, and will include a provision allowing officials to seize assets both within...
Greek government makes headway on new casino licensing framework
Greek lawmakers are moving forward towards the introduction of new legislation which may expedite the development of a casino as part long-delay €8bn Hellinikon resort project.
On 6 December, Greek parliamentarians debated a new Finance Ministry amendment to Law 4512/2018 which sets out the terms and conditions for casino operations in the country.
The amendment would see the establishment of a...
Jamaican government aims to see first IR open by 2020
The Jamaican government has affirmed that it aims to have the country’s first integrated resort casino open by the start of 2020.
During a speech at at a business seminar at the Sandals Montego Bay resort on 7 December, Jamaica’s minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, confirmed that the island’s first major casino operation - which he did not identify by...
Government calls time on Azov City gambling zone
In late October, the Russian government’s official online legal portal posted an order signed by prime minister Dmitry Medvedev confirming the ‘liquidation’ of the Azov-City gaming zone, situated in the southwest Krasnodar region, at the end of December.
The originally government announced its plans to close Azov City’s three casinos back in 2015, in order to facilitate the development of...
Andorran Government extends deadline to respond to tender appeals
The government of Andorra has extended the deadline for its response to appeals put forward by five of the operators who were unsuccessful in the tender for the microstate’s sole casino licence.
The Andorran Gaming Control Board (CRAJ) now has until 27 November to prepare its response which it is hoped will shed further light on its decision to award...
CASA urges government to harden illegal gambling stance
The Casino Association of South Africa (CASA) has called on the national government to harden its stance on illegal gaming activities and unlicensed casino venues.
Whilst there are naturally laws in place to prohibit illegitimate gambling these are doing little to stop the proliferation of the practices according to CASA CEO, Themba Ngobese.
“Unfortunately, there will always be people who believe...
Galaxy Entertainment chair remains “confident” about prospect of Boracay IR
Galaxy Entertainment and its local partner Leisure and Resorts World Corp remain sanguine about the prospects for their proposed $500m integrated resort development on Boracay, while the government insists the project won’t be given the green light.
Galaxy Entertainment chairman, Lui Che Woo, reaffirmed his confidence that the company will still be allowed to go ahead with its $500m integrated...
GLI celebrates Regulators Roundtable in Lima
LI welcomed more than 80 representatives from 33 government entities and 19 countries from Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain to its 11th Annual Latin American and Caribbean Regulators Roundtable.
The three-day event took place in Lima, Peru with the collaboration of the Directorate of Games of Chance and Casino Games (DGJCMT), Peru’s gaming regulator.
“As the host country, we are...
Sun International responds to negative reports
Sun International has responded to comments made by members of the national parliament that on of its venues was in line to face a 30 percent drop in bookings as a result of a declining regional trade. A parliamentary committee reported that the Sun City resort…
South African gaming amendment bill derided
A gaming amendment bill which if actioned could bring forth a considerable shake up of the South African gaming environment has been been derided by some as a complete mess.
The tabling of a gaming amendment bill in South Africa has been derided by those in the industry as an ill-thought-out move that could put dampeners on the sector.
Tabled by...
Regulatory disparity between federal and county bodies putting Kenyan market growth at risk
The full extent of Kenya’s restrictive gaming legislation is becoming apparent to those outside of the industry, with local authorities now lending their voice against the government’s policies.
Officials in the Kenyan casino hub of Nairobi are joining criticism of the nation’s gaming framework, something which is not only harming operators and dissuading international investment but is seemingly largely to...
Optimism and uncertainty around Zimbabwe tourism future
Zimbabwe has a democratically elected president in Emmerson Mnangagwa following the rejection of an opposition appeal to annul the vote by the nation’s high court and now the nation can look to the future, albeit it with scepticism as much as optimism.
The restoration of both visitor and investor confidence in the nation are of paramount importance to Mnangagwa and...
Goa’s CM pushes forward with new casino policy
Goa’s chief minister Manohar Parrikar has confirmed that the government will go forward with plans to move the state’s floating casinos to a new designated gaming zone and appoint a regulator for the sector.
Goa’s chief minister Manohar Parrikar has announced that six offshore casinos on the river Mandovi will be shifted to a designated gaming zone within four years....
Myanmar moves forward with new gaming bill
A bill that would authorise foreigners-only casinos in the South- east Asia state of Myanmar was submitted to the lower house of the country’s legislature on 21 August.
The Gambling Bill 2018 will reportedly include amendments to an existing statute, the Gambling Act 1986.
The Myanmar Times newspaper cited legislator Aung Hlaing Win, as clarifying that detailed rules and bylaws for...
Resorts World Vegas: On track for 2020, defying international climate
The much-delayed Resorts World Las Vegas looks set to open-doors within two-years, despite an ongoing US- China trade war which may well target its primary market.
Resorts World Las Vegas is still on track for a 2020 opening, claim Malaysian Genting developers the Genting Group - despite concerns that deteriorating relations between the United States and China could cause even...
Casinos could be back on the cards for Ecuador
The National Electoral Council of Ecuador (CNE) has confirmed that it will hold a two referendums on allowing casinos, betting shops, and slot parlours in Salinas - the country’s largest coastal resort - in Santa Elena Province and in Bahía de Caráquez in Manabí Province.
The move comes following an extensive campaign to gather the necessary signatures to trigger a...
Kenya high court demands Matiang’i suit response
The Kenyan High Court has demanded that interior cabinet secretary, Fred Matiang’i, must respond to a suit that alleges he ordered the illegal confiscation of slot machines.
Matiang’i had been responsible for a drive to rid the nation of illegal betting units. He and several county commissioners have confiscated and destroyed hundreds of such machines as part of a crackdown...
Gambling Commission to crackdown on operators who don’t treat consumers fairly
New rules from the Gambling Commission, which come into force from 31 October 2018, mean gambling companies that break advertising rules or breach consumer law will face tougher action.
The new requirements, which follow an open consultation, provide "stronger protection for consumers" and ensure they are treated fairly by gambling businesses
The changes mean:
- It will be easier to take action,...
Uganda ups ante on player registration
Those keen to wager in Uganda will have to be registered with a central regulation service by the year end, according to the national gambling board.
In a move designed to help protect consumers and in turn stamp out unregulated gaming operations the National Gambling Board Uganda (NGBU) is developing a central monitoring system (CMS) that will track player activity...
New UnionPay restrictions raise concern in Macau
The removal of UnionPay point-of-sale machines in pawnshops and jewellery shops based inside and close-by Macau casino premises could signal a change in government policy, with analysts discussing the potential effects on the premium mass segment.
Lack of clarity behind an apparent crackdown on use of UnionPay point-of-sale (POS) machines in pawnshops and jewellery shops in Macau has caused concern...
Kenyan Government turns down tax cuts
Members of Kenya’s Parliament have rejected a plan to cut the much-maligned blanket tax on gambling activities from 35 to 15 percent and have instead drawn up plans for the reallocation of the extra funds.
The country’s Treasury proposed amendments to the Betting, Lotteries and Gaming Act, that would lead to the lessening of revenue taxation but saw these withdrawn...
Morpheus launches sans new gaming tables
While the DICJ did not authorise any new gaming tables for Melco Resorts and Entertainment’s Morpheus hotel tower, analysts are confident that the additional hotel rooms the property brings to the table will help grow the company’s top line.
Melco Resorts and Entertainment’s newest hotel tower at City of Dreams, Morpheus, officially opened its doors on 15 June, however Macau’s...
Goa, going, gone?
With the government dragging out plans to move the floating casinos on the Mandovi river to a new land-based entertainment zone, Edward Lowton asks what's on the cards for Goa’s gaming industry?
The attitude of Goa’s government toward its gaming industry presents something of an enigma for the outside observer. While successive administrations have campaigned on an anti-casino platform, their...
IR bill moves forward in Extremadura
The Council of State has ruled that a new bill which could allow for the creation of integrated resort complexes is “in accordance” with the Constitution, paving the way for the legislation to be presented to the regional Parliament.
In Extremadura, a new bill which could allow for the creation of integrated resort complexes in the autonomous community has cleared...
Loutraki casino could face closure due to late wages
Club Hotel Casino Loutraki could be facing closure, as the operator’s failure to pay employees' salaries has put the property’s future in doubt.
New gaming regulations introduced earlier this year stipulate that if employees are not paid within 30 days, a casino's operating licence will be suspended for several months.
If this occurs on three successive occasions, the permit is permanently...
Government aims to introduce casino regulation ‘without delay’
Bermuda’s minister of tourism, Jamahl Simmons, has confirmed that his department aims to introduce regulations for casino gambling as soon as possible, while blaming former Gaming Commission members for delays in the process.
While Bermuda’s tourism minister has stated that his department is committed to fast-tracking regulations for casino gambling, former executives of the country’s regulator have raised concerns regarding...
Japanese government signs off on casino bill
The Japanese government endorsed a bill setting out the broad regulatory framework for the establishment of integrated resorts in the country on 27 April.
“We will promote tourism with visitors from all over the world spending days , while taking complete measures to address various concerns including gambling addiction,” said Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, speaking to the media.
News reports...
