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Casino Culture Comes To Sri Lanka

Melco International Development Ltd, a Hong Kong-listed company and owner of Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd, has secured a 20-year license to operate a casino in Sri Lanka. The gaming venue is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2025.

Melco’s license  remain valid until 2044. The casino will be housed within City of Dreams Sri Lanka, an integrated resort in Colombo. The project is being developed in collaboration with John Keells Holdings Plc, a leading Sri Lankan real estate developer.

The City of Dreams Sri Lanka project represents a $1 Billion investment. Melco has committed $125 Million to ensure the casino adheres to international standards. The Sri Lankan government issued the gaming license to Bluehaven Services (Private) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Melco Resorts.

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The resort will include 800 hotel rooms, a variety of dining options, conference facilities, and entertainment venues. Melco will manage the top five floors under its Nuwa brand, featuring 113 luxury rooms, while the remaining 687 rooms will be operated by a separate entity.

Melco anticipates that the casino project will bolster Sri Lanka’s economy by driving tourism and generating employment opportunities. The company sees the development as a key part of its global expansion strategy, employing an “asset-light approach” to growth by targeting emerging gaming markets.

Melco International Development Ltd is a Hong Kong-listed global gaming and entertainment company with a strong presence in the integrated resort industry. Founded in 1910, Melco has evolved into a major player in the luxury gaming sector, operating high-end casino resorts in Asia and beyond. The company owns Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd, which manages world-renowned properties such as City of Dreams Macau, Studio City, and Morpheus.

Melco is known for its focus on premium experiences, cutting-edge design, and innovative entertainment offerings. It has consistently set industry benchmarks in hospitality, gaming, and sustainability. The company’s Nuwa, Morpheus, and Altira brands cater to affluent travelers, offering luxury accommodations, Michelin-starred dining, and world-class entertainment.

As part of its expansion strategy, Melco has adopted an “asset-light approach,” prioritizing new opportunities in emerging gaming markets while maintaining financial flexibility. Its latest venture, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, is a $1 billion integrated resort project in Colombo, expected to enhance tourism and economic growth in the region.

With this, Sri Lanka is bound to become one of the biggest venues for poker and real money gaming in Asia. In the Middle East, Dubai is also gearing up to become a casino venue, with Wynn Resorts getting the first casino licence for the region.

It now remains to be seen what effect these activities have on the RMG industy. Gutshot Magazine provides the latest updates on the poker and real money gaming industry, including itineraries of poker tournaments, winners lists and interviews with some of the biggest names in the industry, 

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