22 Dec 2011

Fiji's first casino to limit locals from gambling

3:18 pm on 22 December 2011

The company establishing Fiji's first casino says it will ban locals who cannot afford to gamble.

The American company One Hundred Sands Limited will build a 153 million US dollar casino on Denerau along with a five star hotel, convention centre and restaurant.

The company's owner Larry Claunch says proceeds from the casino will lead to better education and infrastructure but locals will not be able to gamble if they don't qualify.

"Ninety nine percent is directed at tourism. But we also are very realistic. There are locals here with money and that shouldn't be excluded. So we are very sensitive to monitoring that. And the locals that can gamble will have a VIP card or a player's card. And if it ever becomes a problem, they're simply excluded from the casino."

Larry Claunch says the casino will be open by the end of 2013.