Casino mogul James Packer has spent months planning to open a casino resort in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. Last month, a wrench was thrown in the plans, as local politicians opposed the construction of new casinos being built in the city – but a loophole has been revealed, which may allow Packer to go ahead with his plans.
On April 25, 2014, the Sri Lankan government approved Packer’s proposal for a new resort in Colombo. However, the only stipulation was that the property would not be permitted to contain a casino. Now, a new decision has made an exception, which will allow the casino to be built if the property uses an existing casino license. Packer’s new casino resort will have to use a license that is already held by a Sri Lankan-based partner.
While no new casino licenses will be issued to operators, Crown Casino can seek out a partnership with a local casino that has already obtain a license to operate in the country. "There is no legal barrier for existing casino businesses getting new partners,” says Keheliya Rambukwella, a spokesperson for the government. “There are five licences issued and these licence holders can have one casino per licence.
So there'll be five casinos." All new casinos must be located D.R. Wijewardena Mawath, which is where Crown’s new venues has been planned for. Any operators can open casinos in this area so long as they partner with a local operator that has already obtain a license. This marks a U-turn for the Sri Lankan government, as it was initially thought that no casinos would receive permission in the country’s capital.
Now, Crown Resorts and other operators will be able to proceed with their plans.
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