Melco Casino at City of Dreams Sri Lanka Set for August Opening

Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd is ready to open its new casino in Sri Lanka on August 2, completing the final phase of the City of Dreams Sri Lanka project. Located in Colombo, the $1.2 billion integrated resort has been under development for more than a decade, with local developer John Keells Holdings Plc leading construction.

Good to know

• Melco Resorts will manage the casino and the Nüwa hotel.
• The $1.2 billion complex includes two hotels and a shopping mall.
• Melco holds a 20-year casino licence in Sri Lanka effective from April 1, 2024.

The casino opening will mark the completion of City of Dreams Sri Lanka, which also includes the 113-room Nüwa hotel, a high-end retail space, and the previously launched Cinnamon Life hotel. The luxury Cinnamon Life hotel, operated by John Keells, opened in October 2023 with 687 rooms.

Melco Resorts invested $125 million in the development and will now oversee casino operations along with the Nüwa hotel. The Nüwa brand already operates under Melco’s management in Macau and Manila.

New market, familiar strategy

Lawrence Ho Yau Lung, chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts, said the company was “thrilled to be part” of the Sri Lanka expansion and called the partnership with John Keells an important addition to their global portfolio.

“We believe Sri Lanka has immense potential, and this opportunity complements our existing portfolio of properties,” said Ho.

He also said that City of Dreams Sri Lanka is expected to boost tourism and help drive economic activity in Colombo, just as integrated resorts have done in other locations.

Local partner sees long-term impact

John Keells Holdings chairperson Krishan Balendra called the opening of the casino and the Nüwa hotel the “realisation of a key pillar” of the broader City of Dreams project.

Balendra added, “With Melco’s globally recognised expertise and exceptional standards, we believe this unique addition will significantly enhance Colombo’s tourism appeal, drive foreign exchange earnings, and create meaningful employment opportunities.”

Melco Resorts was granted a 20-year casino licence by Sri Lankan authorities, effective from April 1, 2024. The company will handle the gaming operations at the property as part of a long-term partnership with John Keells.

The post Melco Casino at City of Dreams Sri Lanka Set for August Opening appeared first on iGaming.org.