While the delta variant continues to push up daily case numbers across the world, a surge in vaccinations across Asia is starting to bring back confidence, allowing governments to begin easing restrictions in certain areas. Our September “Which casinos are open” update details the state of casino openings across Asia as of September 13, 2021.
Macau
Macau’s 41 casinos, which are run by six concessionaires, are all currently open. The city is still closed to all foreign tourists with the exception of Mainland China, and has recently relaxed the validity period for nucleic acid tests to seven days. It’s expected that the upcoming Golden Week holiday will see more than 30,000 visitors per day.
All properties are open as of today.
Malaysia
Despite a prolonged three-month lockdown and seven months in a state of emergency, Malaysia continues to report record Covid-19 cases, surpassing India as one of South East Asia’s highest covid-19 infection rates. However, the country’s rapid vaccine rollout, which began in mid-July has offered some hope.
As of August 24, 41.6 percent of Malaysians have had two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. The government previously estimated that the country would be able to achieve herd immunity by October.
Resorts World Genting: Closed since June 1. Expected to reopen Oct or Nov.
Philippines
Metro Manila is set to move down to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) on Wednesday (September 15, 2021), and with it, a new system of “localised lockdowns”. The easing of restrictions will remove the “stay-at-home” order in the capital. However, at the moment, casinos in most of the country are closed according to our phone enquiries.
All casinos in Entertainment City are closed, along with all casinos in Metro Manila, the same restrictions apply to Cebu.
Thunderbird Resort & Casino, Widus Hotel and Casino, amongst others in Clark are currently open.
Singapore
Singapore now has around 80 percent of its population fully vaccinated, allowing the country to continue its efforts towards relaxing border restrictions. As of September 8, travelers coming from certain countries who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to bypass an isolation requirement if they test negative in four PCR tests.
Marina Bay Sands: Open, with “revised capacities”
Resorts World Sentosa: Open, at “reduced guest capacity”
Nepal
The lockdown in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley which began on April 29 has finally ended as of Wednesday September 1, though certain restrictions have been kept in place.
As a result, schools have reopened for the first time in four months, as well as cinemas, swimming pools, museums, and dance clubs. Conference and sporting events can also now be organized as long as they follow health protocols.
There are approximately 12 casinos in Nepal.
Deltin Casino International, located in Kathmandu is open.
Tiger Palace Resort Bhairahawa will reopen on September 23.
It is understood that casinos in Nepal are allowed to be open.
India
Only three states have licensed land-based (including off-shore casinos) – Goa, Sikkim, and Daman. There are six offshore casinos in Goa, floating in the Mandovi river, whilst other casinos are located inside five-star hotels.
All casinos in Goa have been forced to be closed since May 9. This order is set to last until September 13.
Delta Corp’s Gangtok Sikkim property has been open since August.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka was able to re-open places of worship, restaurants, cinemas, and hotels in July after two months Covid-19 lockdown. Despite a continuing rise in Delta variant infections, the government previously said it was looking to shed all coronavirus restrictions by September, however the most recent wave has extended the national lockdown to at least September 13.
There are five gambling facilities in Sri Lanka, though they are still currently closed.
Laos
Laos is home to the Savannakhet Savann Vegas casino, Vientiane Dansavanh Nam Ngum casino, and Bokeo Kings Romans casino. The country has been under lockdown since June 19, which has been extended until September 15.
Casinos and gaming shops are not permitted to open.
Cambodia
Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh has been recognised as the ‘world’s most vaccinated capital city’ with nearly a 100 percent vaccination rate amongst its two million residents. The speedy vaccination program has put the nation eight months ahead of schedule, and it expects the rest of the country to achieve herd immunity by the end of the year.
Cambodia has extended Covid-19 related controls in Phnom Penh until at least September 9.
Cambodia has recently announced a two-week nationwide curfew, which is expected to be in place from July 30 to August 12, and apply between the hours of 9am and 3pm each day. The curfew will not just apply to the capital city of Phnom Penh, but across all provinces.
Previously, restrictions have been centered mostly on its capital city of Phnom Penh, which has been under restrictions since June 4. Sihanoukville, however, has also been under a form of lockdown, banning all forms of large gatherings, including those on the gaming floor.
NagaWorld: Closed since March 2021.
Casinos in Sihanoukville are open but each are subject to a different policy on entry requirements.
All casinos in Poipet, Kampot and Bavet are closed, this includes Donaco’s Star Vegas which has been closed since April 27, 2021.
Vietnam
Vietnam has locked down a number of its major cities, including Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi amid a spread of covid-19 cases, with restrictions set to last until September 15. However, the city is considering reopening economic activity afterwards, shifting from a “zero Covid-19” strategy to one of living with the virus. Meanwhile, the capital Hanoi is set to extend strict lockdowns in most parts of the city beyond September 6 for another 15 days. Danang eased restrictions from September 5, though it is understood that casinos have not yet been allowed to reopen.
Major operators in Vietnam include Donaco International, Suncity, Vin Group and Ho Tram Project Company.
All bars and clubs and slot parlors in Vietnam are closed.
Ho Tram’s casino has been closed.
Corona Resort & Casino in Phu Quoc has reopened as of August 1.
Hoiana is currently open.
Aristo Vietnam has been open since May 2020 at reduced capacity.
Australia
Australia issues lockdowns on a state-by-state basis, however, the country has closed its international borders completely as of March 20, 2020, which has prevented the entry of international tourists.
Australia’s largest state of New South Wales, home to The Star and Crown Barangaroo has been under lockdown since June 26. The lockdown is expected to last until October, though no solid plans have been made for reopening.
Victoria, home to Crown Melbourne has imposed a lockdown and curfew from 9pm to 5am every day – which is expected to be in place until at least September 23.
Queensland, which
Major casino operators in Australia include Star Entertainment, Crown Resorts, SkyCity Entertainment Group and The Treasury Group
All gaming venues in NSW are closed, though clubs and pubs are aiming for an October 14 opening.
Gaming venues in Victoria have been closed until further notice.
Casinos and clubs in Queensland are also open, with restrictions.
Western Australia gaming properties are open.
New Zealand
New Zealand went into lockdown in August due to an outbreak of Covid-19’s delta variant, which is believed to be brought in by a traveler from Australia.
As a result, the country went into a nationwide lockdown at Alert level 4. On September 7, this was eased to a level two lockdown in all areas with the exception of Auckland.
SkyCity operates four out of six casinos in the country, it operates casinos in Hamilton, Queenstown, and Auckland. There is a casino in Christchurch and another in Dunedin.
All properties are open as of today, with the exception of SkyCity Auckland.
Saipan
Imperial Pacific International, which operates the only casino on the island of Saipan, announced a temporary closure from March 17, however, the casino has remained closed since then due to its license being suspended.
Saipan’s only casino is closed as of today.
Russia
Despite Russia’s coronavirus case numbers recently surpassing the seven million mark, the government is reportedly not considering any new lockdowns. It has struggled with growing its vaccination rate due to hesitancy about its own homegrown vaccine. Casinos in Russia’s Primorye and Siberia zones are required to operate with coronavirus countermeasures, including body temperature checks, the mandatory wearing of masks for all employees and patrons, the installation of hand sanitizers, and various social distancing measures.
All properties are allowed to be open as of today.
Japan
Japan has no casinos as of today. Instead, its citizens are treated to pachinko parlors throughout the country, which offers a gambling-like entertainment experience.
Despite the country declaring a state of emergency just weeks before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (currently being held in Tokyo), which continues today, there has been no closure order for pachinko parlours.
All properties are allowed to be open as of today.
South Korea
South Korea has recently tightened its social distancing rules across the country, warning that its most recent Covid-19 wave could spread further due to the summer holiday season. The heightened alert however, has not prompted the closure of any casino operations.
All properties are allowed to be open as of today.
Have you picked up an inaccuracy in our list? Email us at [email protected].
