City of Dreams Sri Lanka: Melco Resorts’ Premier Integrated Resort Casino Set to Welcome Guests

• City of Dreams Sri Lanka will open on August 2
• The casino is part of Sri Lanka’s first integrated resort
• Melco Resorts will run the casino for at least the next two decades

Melco Resorts, a prominent player in the global gaming industry, is expanding its footprint with the highly anticipated opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka on August 2. Nestled within the sprawling Cinnamon Life complex developed by John Keells Holdings, this premier integrated resort casino is gearing up to welcome its first guests to a world-class destination of luxury and entertainment.

Located off the southeastern coast of India, Sri Lanka took a significant step in its gaming landscape in 2010 when it legalized casinos in designated areas. Despite this legislation, the emergence of large-scale casino projects was hindered by public sentiment, with only smaller boutique establishments opening their doors until now. The arrival of Melco’s City of Dreams marks a paradigm shift towards larger gaming operations.

The City of Dreams Sri Lanka casino will span an impressive 180,000 square feet and is accompanied by an 800-room hotel. This development is noted as a milestone in Sri Lanka’s efforts to attract international tourism and stimulate economic activity.

“We believe Sri Lanka has immense potential. This opportunity complements our existing portfolio of properties. City of Dreams will act as a catalyst for stimulating tourism demand and promoting economic growth in Sri Lanka,” said Lawrence Ho, founder and CEO of Melco Resorts.

The integrated resort will not only feature a casino and two luxury hotels—Cinnamon Life and Nüwa—but will also include expansive convention facilities, a retail shopping and dining promenade, as well as engaging entertainment experiences. This multifaceted approach is designed to cater to diverse visitor interests.

Betting on Sri Lanka

After extensive negotiations that lasted two decades, Melco secured the right to operate this transformative $1.2 billion project, which is poised to redefine the landscape of Colombo and firmly place Sri Lanka on the global tourism map. Such development is seen as critical for the country’s sustainable economic growth.

This exciting fourth City of Dreams location—joining Melco’s other properties in Macau, the Philippines, and Cyprus—is set to create over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, further contributing to local employment opportunities.

“City of Dreams Sri Lanka stands as a testament to our confidence in the country’s future and to our ongoing investment in nation-building,” added Krishan Balendra, chair of John Keells Group.

Melco has agreed to pay John Keells $125 million for operational rights over the new City of Dreams for a period of two decades.

Challenges Faced by Former Partners

Once operational, Melco will hold a monopoly in Sri Lanka’s casino gaming sector. However, its past attempts to partner with Crown Resorts faced hurdles when they attempted to establish a casino in Sri Lanka shortly after the legalization of gambling, encountering resistance from local communities.

In conclusion, the launch of City of Dreams Sri Lanka signifies not only a significant development in the region’s gaming industry but also a beacon of hope for the Sri Lankan economy ahead of its recovery.

The City of Dreams is set to become a hotspot for leisure and entertainment, bringing a fresh wave of tourism to Sri Lanka.

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