Analysis Politics, business viability, diplomacy make purported casino in Malaysia’s Forest City a risky bet
“Bear in mind that China is bearing down on any jurisdictions which have casinos and they have announced a couple of times that they have a blacklist of gambling destinations in Southeast Asia.
(CNA) – Media reports of Malaysia allegedly mulling a new casino in Johor’s beleaguered Forest City property development have seized public attention in recent weeks, prompting denials by the government, as well as police investigations and the arrest of individuals embroiled in the saga.
Amid the controversy over whether high-level talks did take place over a purported new casino, analysts say such a scenario would have been a hard sell politically, especially amid rising Islamic sensitivities, and also a risky gamble economically given the challenges in building gaming-related infrastructure and attracting the target clientele.
Experts CNA spoke to also suggested that Malaysia’s bilateral ties with neighbour Singapore and economic giant China may be impacted if it was indeed toying with the casino idea, given that both governments have taken active steps to deter gambling among its citizens who are potentially among the target clientele.
Regional gaming industry expert Ben Lee, managing partner of Macao-based casino consultancy IGamiX, told CNA: “Bear in mind that China is bearing down on any jurisdictions which have casinos and they have announced a couple of times that they have a blacklist of gambling destinations in Southeast Asia.
“So I don’t think having a casino and wanting to target Chinese citizens is going to win you any brownie points with China.”
