Bali Rejects Major Casino Development In Top Tourism Resort

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Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster has confirmed that he has rejected a multi-million dollar offer to open a casino on the island.

Gambling is illegal throughout Indonesia, including in Bali. Despite this, over the years, a number of international investors have made tentative steps to create conditions where an exclusive casino would be permitted. 

Speaking to reporters, Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster confirmed that he firmly rejects any notions of building a casino in Bali. He told reporters, “Bali’s future is at stake in our culture-based tourism in Bali.”

He added, “Bali must be strong, sturdy, principled, don’t be easily swayed by temptations like doing this, doing that, don’t do it, we just stick to our culture.” There is a prevailing belief amongst many leaders in Bali that creating policy changes that would allow gambling activities to be conducted with a strictly controlled license in an exclusive venue would be one concession too far.

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Governor Koster revealed that he has rejected offers from investors to build a casino in Bali that would be projected to generate millions of dollars in revenue for the province.

He shared, “I was promised that if a casino opened in Bali, it would generate IDR 100 trillion in revenue. The figure is indeed IDR 100 trillion, but if we take a wrong step, we could lose more than IDR 100 trillion and threaten Bali’s future.”

He also confirmed that he has rejected applications to develop a racing track circuit in Bali, like that established in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. He stated that he had rejected the requests not only due to the lack of space in Bali, but also to help preserve Balinese values and community interests. 

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Governor Koster noted that Bali is “Only one in the world based on culture, so because of that, there is no rival. We will continue to win the culture-based tourism battle. That’s all, so in the future, never waver about this culture.”

Governor Koster’s statements were echoed by Bali Senator Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih, who gave his backing to the provincial leader’s commitment to prioritising Balinese culture.

Though he shared that there could be benefits to legalising or decriminalising gambling, in some cases. He alluded to hopes that in the long term, a casino could be established in an area of Bali in need of an economic boost. 

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Senator Linggih shared, “I agree to maintain cultural tourism. Maybe Tajen [cockfighting] can be legalized then. Considering the new Criminal Code that recognizes the living law and the Bale Kerta Adhyaksa Regional Regulation that was passed before is also based on the living law that applies in Bali.”

He noted that Bali Police have been clear that they do not wish for gambling to be legalised or decriminalized in Bali, though Senator Linggih suggests that by implementing strategic policies on the practice, any grey areas or underground gambling activities could become safer and easier to surveil.

Senator Linggih shared, “Actually, it’s simple; if it can’t be eradicated, it’s better to arrange it. I support 1,000 percent eradication. But if you can’t, you have to think about how to arrange it. Don’t leave it gray and be exploited by people.”

Despite Governor Koster’s clear statements that a casino is not the way forward, Senator Linggih told reporters that the projected long-term economic and social benefits to the Balinese people must remain under consideration.

He shared, “I certainly hope for a commitment from any investors to ensure that 50 percent of the management is Balinese. This way, we won’t just be employing lower-level employees, but also middle- and upper-level employees.”

He added, “It’s very easy to control that. Tax money from these casinos could help law enforcement eradicate online gambling, which is destroying our children.”