Laos had intended to develop casinos in several special economic zones but, in a blow to the industry, one such zone will no longer include a gaming property.
Boten, located on the Laos-China border in Luang Namtha province, was this month reclassified by the government as a specific economic zone, removing the casino element from the project.
Boten was established under a concession agreement in 2003, under which it would compromise 12 projects activities, including a casino. The development saw the remote region transformed with new roads, electricity, water, hotels and other facilities to attract investment to the zone.
However, the government encountered "security issues" and issued another decree to manage the zone, determining in 2003 to amend the concession agreement and exclude the casino element to "ensure sustainable development" for the zone.
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