Ethiopia to start casino at five-star hotel

February 7, 2006

“Arrangements will be made for s specific place for the games and other issues, including who is eligible to play and the amount of money involved. Every activity will be closely controlled, making it legal,” Dagnamyelew told journalists.

“How the game is going to be played and the requirements set up will be according to the experiences of other countries, particularly those of Egypt and Kenya.”

If the draft proclamation is approved by the Council of Ministers, it will be presented to parliament this coming Friday. The casino game will get permission from the Council of Ministers if it does not violate Ethiopia laws, he said.

“The first thing before we talk about the game procedure is whether the proclamation will be passed by parliament,” said Dagnamyelew.

According to Dagnamyelew, the casino study was conducted by the lottery administration, the former culture and sports ministry and the former tourism commission.

He said Ethiopia will benefit from the casino because it will create job opportunities, entertain the international community, and attract tourists, thereby generating foreign currency.

In 1995, a project proposal was presented to parliament but was not passed.

In late 1980’s, a casino used to operate at the Ghion Hotel in Addis Ababa, but was terminated by the order of Fikre Selassie Wogderesse, the then Ethiopian prime minister, after a brawl which resulted in the death of an individual.