Ministry clarifies public queries regarding casinos
 
Vientiane Times, 27 March 2010
 
The public has called on the government to enforce stricter management
of casino operations, including the possibility of prohibiting Lao
people from gambling.
 
Public complaints raise cases of Lao people losing large amounts of
money in casinos, leading to social problems and family breakdowns.
 
A resident of Savannakhet province raised the issue through the
National Assembly's public hotline during its last session. The caller
inquired about authorities banning Lao people from gambling in
casinos.
 
The Ministry of Information and Culture is responsible for managing
the operations of casinos in Laos and recently moved to clarify the
situation.
 
Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Bouangeun Saphouvong,
said the ministry is only tasked with managing casinos to ensure their
operations are in line with traditions and customs, including the
entertainment provided, and the posters and advertisements placed
within casinos.
 
However, the approval of business operations and the issue of
prohibiting Lao people from gambling at such venues falls under the
jurisdiction of the central government, he claimed.
 
“Our ministry isn't responsible for approving casino operations. That
falls under the responsibility of the government,” Mr Bouangeun told
parliamentarians in a recent meeting held at the assembly to clarify
public questions over the issue.
 
In principle, Lao people are prohibited from gambling in casinos, in
line with the regulation that is included in agreements made when
approval is granted for a casino's operation, the deputy minister
said.
 
He conceded that Lao people do gamble in casinos in the country,
noting that many run into high levels of debt.
 
At present, there are five casinos in Laos - in Luang Namtha,
Khammuan, Savannakhet, Vientiane and Bokeo.
 
Mr Bouangeun said he has visited two casinos himself and believes
there is a need to improve the government body responsible for
supervising casino operations and ensuring that the venues comply with
regulations.
 
Officials from the ministry's Mass Culture Department have visited
casinos several times to investigate public complaints. But they can
only monitor and scrutinise activities which fall under the ministry's
responsibility, he said.
 
At the meeting, Mr Bouangeun also responded to a further eight issues
raised by members of the public through the hotline, including the
operation of entertainment venues after 11:30pm and whether it is
appropriate for the Lao Brewery Company to use an image of That Luang
stupa on its products.
 
The assembly members pledged to publicise all clarifications to
residents in their constituencies.