Rumors have been flying about a casino potentially coming to Bali as another way to drive tourism to the Indonesian island. It is already a highly popular destination, with 16.4 million people visiting last year.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has poured cold water on any talks of legal gambling, saying that all tourism is to be based on the island’s unique culture rather than a space for international tourists to gamble.
the economic impact would be as much as IDR 13 trillion (US$815m) annually
Koster has support among local lawmakers and the region’s indigenous community, despite projections that the economic impact would be as much as IDR 13 trillion (US$815m) annually. Casino gambling is completely illegal in Indonesia; those pushing for legalization have asked for Bali to be deemed a special economic zone, similar to how China allows gambling in Macau.
