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Bali tourism head rejects casino idea
Bali's tourism head has quashed an idea to build a casino in the island province, saying that it did not align with either the Balinese culture or the nation's laws, whereas the local chair of HIPMI, which broached the idea, said the project could enhance equality, create jobs and grow the local economy – so long as Indonesians were banned from partaking in any gambling activities.
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Domestic and foreign tourists pack an amphitheater situated atop the cliffs of Uluwati to watch a performance of Bali’s iconic Kecak Dance on April 11, 2024. (Antara/Fikri Yusuf)
T
he head of the Bali Tourism Office has rejected an idea to build an international-standard casino in the island province, put forward by a local business group.
Bali tourism head Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun has nipped the idea in the bud saying that a casino ran counter to Balinese culture that formed the basis of the province’s tourism industry.
Speaking at the Bali Legislative Council (DPRD) on Monday, Tjokorda added that national laws made it impossible to run a casino.
"It's not yet possible [to build a casino], because gambling is not allowed by law,” he said, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih, the Bali chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI), said earlier in the day that building a casino of international standards could help the provincial administration raise revenue to finance waste management and attract more tourists.
A casino would allow Bali to rival Singapore and bring in between Rp 12 trillion (US$742 million) and Rp 13 trillion in potential annual revenue for the region’s budget, he added.
“It is now important to build a casino, because Bali’s local revenue is around Rp 4 trillion and Bali also faces several challenges, one of which is waste management. For waste management alone, Bali needs Rp 3 trillion,” Agung said on Monday, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
