License Name
SEZ Casino Licence for Foreigners
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Issuing Country/Region
Laos
Regulatory Body
Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI)
Types of Regulated Games
Casino (table games, slots, other permitted games in licensed venues)
Market Coverage
Local (within SEZs), exclusively for foreigners and tourists
Regulator's Reputation
Good
Legal Entity Requirements
Company registered in Laos or as a Lao branch of a foreign company
Minimum Share Capital
Not publicly specified; significant investment commitment required
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Eligibility based on experience, financial stability, and reputation; local staff requirements for casino personnel
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Compliance with Lao AML laws mandatory
Reporting Requirements
Mandatory financial and operational reports to the Ministry of Planning and Investment
Audit Requirements
Subject to technical and compliance audits by the MPI
Software Certification Requirements
Not specified publicly for land-based operations
Payment System Requirements
Regulated; only approved/certified providers permitted
Server Location Requirements
Not specified for land-based casinos
Domain Name Requirements
Not specified for land-based casinos
Language Support Requirements
Not specified; operational language requirements may be set for staff
Currency Support Requirements
Not publicly specified
Background Checks
Mandatory background checks on owners, investors, and key personnel
License Scope Restrictions
Casinos may only operate in SEZs, serving only foreign tourists; local nationals prohibited from gambling
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Licensees must comply with Lao tax law, including special SEZ incentives
Player Data Storage Requirements
Not publicly specified
Cross-Border Operations
Not permitted; activities restricted to licensed venues
License Application Transparency
Full documentation, disclosure of ownership, and transparency in business proposals required
Regulatory Contact Point
Ministry of Planning and Investment
Compliance Officer Requirement
Not specified publicly
Local Partnership Requirements
100% foreign ownership allowed or joint ventures
Legal Dispute Resolution
Disputes may be subject to arbitration or government intervention
License Transferability
Subject to regulatory approval
Sub-Licensing Rules
Not permitted
License Cost
High application fee; exact amount subject to negotiation and zone
Annual Fees
High annual fee; varies by project and license agreement
Income Taxes
SEZ profit tax exemption for 6–17 years; 35% corporate tax applies after exemption period (duration negotiable by zone/project)
Financial Guarantees
Significant investment threshold; may include guarantees depending on the project
Financial Reporting Requirements
Regular reports as required by MPI
Application Processing Time
Several months (depends on completeness and zone approval process)
Required Documents
Detailed business plan, ownership and management information, financial projections, security and responsible gaming policies
Business Plan Requirements
Comprehensive plan mandatory
Internal Policy Requirements
Policies on security, responsible gambling, and compliance required
Testing Requirements
Technical and compliance audits
Staff Qualifications
Casino staff must be Laotian nationals; management must demonstrate sector experience
Physical Office Requirements
Physical gaming venue within the SEZ required
Local Representative Requirements
Local office/representative required
Responsible Gaming Measures
Required by regulation
Self-Exclusion System
Not publicly specified
Age Verification Procedures
Enforcement of age limits mandatory
KYC Procedures
Know Your Customer (KYC) policies required
Player Funds Protection
Not publicly specified
Permitted Games List
Casino games as approved by MPI
Betting Limits
Regulatory limits on wager amounts and payouts
License Duration
10–20 years; up to 99 years possible for SEZ concessions subject to government agreement
Renewal Procedure
Renewal subject to regulatory review and continued compliance
Penalties for Non-Compliance
License revocation, fines, or closure by government
Ownership Change Rules
Subject to regulatory approval
Official Address
Ministry of Planning and Investment, Lane Xang Avenue, Vientiane, Lao PDR
Departments
Investment Promotion; One Stop Service Office; Concession Management; SEZ Administration
FAQ Question 1
What is SEZ Casino Licence for Foreigners?
FAQ Answer 1
The SEZ Casino Licence for Foreigners is a license issued by the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment for casinos operating in Special Economic Zones, exclusively for foreigners and non-resident gamblers. The license process includes strict eligibility, financial, and regulatory requirements
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues SEZ Casino Licence for Foreigners?
FAQ Answer 2
The Laos Ministry of Planning and Investment is the issuing authority for casino licenses in Special Economic Zones in Laos
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining SEZ Casino Licence for Foreigners?
FAQ Answer 3
The license involves a high application and annual fee as well as significant investment commitments; exact amounts are subject to negotiation and depend on the zone and project
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for SEZ Casino Licence for Foreigners?
FAQ Answer 4
Main requirements include application to MPI, strong financial standing, background checks, company registration in Laos, a detailed business plan, hiring local staff, responsible gaming measures, compliance reporting, and adherence to SEZ gaming regulations