Packer bets on Sri Lanka casino
James Packer’s Crown Ltd is in talks with a Sri Lankan partner to build a US$350 million hotel and leisure resort in the Indian Ocean island nation.
But, according to a Reuters report, the Sri Lankan government and Crown appeared to be at odds over whether the development would include a casino.
Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Sri Lanka’s investment promotion minister, said the proposed project would be 45% owned by a local entrepreneur he did not identify.
“This is not a casino business and we have not granted any tax concessions which are adverse to the country,” Abeywardena told parliament.
However, a Crown source with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters the company was planning an integrated resort complex, including a casino.
The source said talks were ongoing but no decision had been made.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025