Bill legalizing foreigners-only casinos in Myanmar sails through lower house

The lower house of Myanmar’s Parliament has approved a bill that would legalize gambling for foreigners only, local outlet Eleven Media reported.

Parliamentarian Nay Myo Tun said of the bill’s passage, “The Public Affairs Management committee submitted the proposal to the Bill committee which forwarded it to the Parliament. It was discussed by 12 MPs at Parliament. They amended some phrases in the bill. This is not a casino law. The casino law has many sections.”

During session, one section was added to the bill previously submitted by the Public Affairs Management committee last August 21. The new section includes paragraphs that state that only the Internal Revenue Department under the Ministry of Planning and Finance can operate the state lottery, and that the Union government can allow for the setting up of casinos at designated areas, for foreigners only.

With approval by the lower house, the bill goes to the Parliament’s upper house, the House of Nationalities, for approval, before being submitted to the President.