Bali Governor Wayan Koster stated that he rejects the proposal to establish a legalized casino, even given the potential profit of 100 trillion rupiah.
According to him, the refusal is dictated by the principles of developing cultural tourism, which forms the basis of Bali's economy. Currently, 60 percent of Bali's gross product is generated by tourism.
“We aim to strengthen quality tourism based on our culture. Casinos contradict this direction. Bali has no competitors in the field of cultural tourism, but if we open a casino, we will have to compete with other countries,” the governor noted.
He acknowledged that the amount seems tempting, but emphasized, “If we take the wrong step and destroy the cultural foundation of tourism, the losses could be much greater. It's a threat to Bali's future.”
Koster assured that the Balinese government would continue to pursue tourism development based on traditions and would not allow gambling establishments to emerge. “We must stand firm on this. Neither now nor in the future should we succumb to the temptation to deviate from the cultural path. A single wrong step could be too costly,” he emphasized.
From January to July 2025, the island was visited by 4 million foreign tourists. From August 1 to 13, another 300,000 were added, bringing the total to 4.3 million. The governor predicts a seasonal decline in September and October but expects a new increase in November and December. By the end of 2025, he estimates the total could reach 7.2 million foreign tourists.
“The growth is just incredible. Therefore, we need competent management and timely decisions on all issues that may affect tourism development,” concluded Koster.
Meanwhile, according to some analysts, placing casinos in new areas, for example near the northern airport under construction, could accelerate the development of these territories. And if it turns out that casinos do hinder cultural tourism, they can always be closed.
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