No Govt permits for casino operators

by Naalir Jamaldeen

The Government has not issued a single licence to casino operators. All licences were given during the UNP regime and casino operators use these licenses run their business and gambling, Deputy Investment Promotion Minister Faizer Mustapha said.

The Government has increased the casino tax from one million rupees to Rs. 100 million. It also took steps to reduce the number of gambling centres, the Deputy Minister said.

There is no truth in the allegation levelled by the Opposition that the Government will introduce casinos indirectly. According to the Casino Act which was brought by the UNP in 1988 this led to gambling in the country. Since 1988 no permits have been issued to indulge in gambling business.

Permission has been granted for three mixed development projects only by issuing gazette notices, Minister Mustapha said.