Colombo, the bustling capital of Sri Lanka, is set to welcome a major addition to its tourism and entertainment landscape with the introduction of a new casino at the iconic Colombo Lotus Tower. This development comes as part of a partnership between Sri Lanka’s Golden Island Hospitality Ltd and India’s Majestic Group Hotels and Casinos. The new casino, to be named Majestic Pride Casino, Sri Lanka is anticipated to transform the city’s gaming and hospitality sector, adding a new layer of excitement for both tourists and locals alike.
The Partnership Behind Majestic Pride Casino
Golden Island Hospitality Ltd, a prominent player in Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry, recently announced its collaboration with Majestic Group Hotels and Casinos, a leading gaming group from India. This partnership, which was officially solidified in an agreement signed on 1 August 2024, aims to bring world-class gaming to Colombo. Majestic Group has built a strong reputation over the last 15 years, particularly in Goa, where it operates a portfolio of luxury hotels and casinos known for their excellent service and entertainment options.
The partnership has received significant backing from the Sri Lankan government, with the Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies Ministry of Sri Lanka granting a Casino Business License to Golden Island Hospitality Ltd under the Casino Business (Regulation) Act, No. 17 of 2010. This license is a key milestone, enabling the establishment of a legal and fully regulated gaming operation in the heart of Colombo.
Majestic Pride Casino: A Premier Destination
Majestic Pride Casino, Sri Lanka, is poised to become a major attraction for tourists visiting Colombo. The casino will be housed within the prestigious Colombo Lotus Tower, which stands as the 19th tallest tower in the world and the 11th tallest in Asia. Primarily a telecommunications tower, the Lotus Tower also offers an array of retail and tourism attractions, making it an ideal location for a high-end casino.
The casino will offer an extensive array of gaming options, although specific details about the games and facilities have not yet been disclosed. The developers behind Majestic Pride Casino aim to create a world-class gaming experience that not only appeals to tourists but also contributes to Sri Lanka’s economy by creating job opportunities for local Sri Lankans in both gaming and hospitality sectors.
The Importance of Colombo Lotus Tower
The Colombo Lotus Tower is more than just an architectural landmark in Sri Lanka. Completed in 2019, it serves as a key broadcasting antenna for more than 100 radio and television stations as well as telecommunications service providers. However, the tower also boasts six floors of retail and tourism-related offerings, including restaurants, a museum, a food court, and facilities for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). One floor is even dedicated to luxury hotel rooms, further enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination.
Adding a casino to this already diverse array of attractions is a strategic move aimed at boosting Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, which has seen a renewed focus in recent years. With the introduction of Majestic Pride Casino, the Lotus Tower will not only be a landmark for communications but also a premier destination for entertainment and hospitality in Colombo.
Boosting Tourism and the Economy
The addition of Majestic Pride Casino to Colombo’s entertainment offerings comes at a crucial time for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. Over the past few years, the country has been working diligently to expand its appeal to international tourists, particularly in the gaming and hospitality sectors. The partnership between Golden Island Hospitality Ltd and Majestic Group Hotels and Casinos is expected to play a pivotal role in this strategy.
In their joint statement, Golden Island and Majestic Group emphasized their goal of making Majestic Pride Casino a premier tourist destination. The casino is not just expected to attract tourists but also to contribute significantly to the local economy. By creating job opportunities for Sri Lankan youth in gaming and hospitality, the project will have a direct positive impact on employment in the country.
Furthermore, the casino is expected to complement other large-scale gaming developments in Sri Lanka. Earlier in 2024, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, a major international gaming operator, announced plans to open City of Dreams Sri Lanka, a casino and hotel complex in partnership with John Keells Holdings PLC at Colombo’s Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort. This 20-year project is yet another indicator that Sri Lanka is serious about establishing itself as a key player in the global gaming industry.
A Broader Vision for Gaming in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka currently has five legal casinos, with three owned by prominent businessman Dhammika Perera and two by Ravi Wijeratne. The introduction of Majestic Pride Casino adds to this growing portfolio, marking another step in Sri Lanka’s broader vision for the gaming sector. The country has been gradually liberalizing its gaming laws and promoting large-scale investments in tourism, with the ultimate goal of attracting more high-spending tourists from around the world.
The move to establish a casino at Colombo Lotus Tower was first announced in November 2022 by Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Tourism, who revealed plans for a casino and entertainment area at the tower. An agreement was initially signed with Singapore’s Kreate Design Pte Limited, although the latest announcement does not mention Kreate’s involvement, suggesting a shift in strategy to partner with a more experienced gaming operator like Majestic Group.
While the exact opening date for Majestic Pride Casino has yet to be announced, anticipation is already building. The project is expected to set new standards for gaming in Sri Lanka, with Golden Island Hospitality and Majestic Group aiming to offer a world-class experience that caters to both local and international guests.
MCW Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka’s most popular online site
Nowadays the online casino market in Sri Lanka is also booming and MCW Sri Lanka is a leading online gaming platform that offers sports betting, online casino games and various gambling options. MCW stands out by ensuring a secure and private environment using advanced security measures to protect user data. Through the expansion of physical casinos as well as online gaming platforms such as MCW Sri Lanka, both tourism and the Sri Lankan economy can grow rapidly.
