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Sikkim Govt launches casino to lure tourists
by Tashi Pradhan

     Gangtok (Sikkim): Keen to improve tourist inflow into the State, the Sikkim Government recently launched a casino. With an annual increase of 20 per cent in tourist inflow in recent years, Sikkim is the only state in the country offering land-based live casino facilities and complete casino gaming to tourists. The first casino was opened at the Royal Plaza hotel and was named 'Casino Sikkim'. Naresh Subba, Chief Executive Officer of Casino Sikkim, said the State Government's assistance had made it possible to open the casino in the state. "The Sikkim Government has trusted us and have given me the responsibility to come up with the casino and then to attract the tourists. With the airport foundation stone and ritual being done recently, I see a nightlife market for tourists," said Naresh. Besides boosting the economy of the region through tourism, the opening of casino is also creating employment opportunities for the youth who are not exposed to the outside world. "From casino, we will definitely get an advantage and high profile tourists will be attracted. In the northeastern side, Sikkim is the only state where casino was opened recently," said Deepak Rai, a tour operator. The State Government aims to attract high end domestic and foreign tourists with the casino bid which has already created ripples in the hospitality sector both national and international.
-Mar 24, 2009

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