Casino to be available for foreign tourists: Tourism secy

Amid the ongoing crackdown on the casinos and illegal business, Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Secretary Mohibul Haque today said the casino facilities will be available for foreign tourists at exclusive tourist zones.

“Casino is available in Malaysia though it is a Muslim country. Tourists can play the casino there on submission of their respective passports. We couldn’t provide such facilities for our foreign tourists. We will provide such facilities for our foreign tourists in the exclusive tourist zones,” he said.

Speaking at a press conference at the ministry’s conference room, Mohibul said the casino issue which is widely being discussed in the country at present is necessary for tourists.

He was addressing a press conference organised at the secretariat to chalk out the ministry’s different activities to mark International Tourism Day to be celebrated on September 27.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali was also present at the press briefing.

Asked about the government’s ongoing drive against casino business, Mohibul Haque said: “I fully support the government’s move. What I am trying to say is that the casino will be available for foreign tourists.”

“The ongoing casino business in Dhaka is totally illegal and I think the government has taken the right measures against the casino business,” he said.

Asked whether the ministry has any plan to go for casino with night club like that of one in Bangkok, Mohibul said different Muslim countries are providing various entertainment facilities for foreign tourists in their countries.

“I think there should be no problem in providing such facilities for our foreign tourists in the exclusive tourist zone,” the government high official said.