Operators in Malaysia said that the country would not allow to build any other new casinos, after having received a proposal for a new hall in the northern island of Penang. “Our policy is based on not allowing any other new casinos in the country and not providing any new licenses”, said vice president Najib Razak.

The idea of settling a second casino in Malaysia was suggested last October by Lim Chong Eu, former Prime Minister of Penang, who said this could help the development of tourism industry on the islands.

Genting, the only casino operator in Malaysia, is run by Lim Goh Tong’s family, the Chinese magnate, who also owns other business and properties in the country. He has a casino resort in the state of Pahang, which attracts more than 15 million tourists every year, and he has recently placed an offer to build the first casino in Singapore. Other strong competitors in this bid are Las Vegas Sands, MGM Mirage with its partner CapitaLand and Harrah’s Entertainment partnered with Keppel Land.