The casino near Damascus International Airport in Syria opened quietly at the end of December last year. Many Syrians already play at the Casino du Liban in Lebanon and the new Syrian casino attracted many clients. It also attracted major criticism from conservative Syrians and the Muslim religious authorities. Gambling was banned in Syria over forty years ago but the new casino was opened under a special dispensation under moves to liberalise the country’s economy and attract more tourists.

Just three months later the Syrian casino has been closed despite the country’s strictly secular laws. President Bashar al-Assad is facing unrest and pro-democracy demonstrations and the closure of the casino is seen as an attempt to appease the Muslim element. The authorities also have reversed a ban that saw government primary school teachers who wore the black niqab transferred to administrative jobs. The teachers are to be reinstated.

It is reported that the casino was closed due to the violation of laws and regulations although the state newspaper Tishran did not elaborate. It appears that a series of sudden reforms are aimed at wooing the religious sectors of the community and the casino has fallen victim to those moves. Operated by Ocean Club, a joint Syrian-international venture, it is thought that the wealthy Hububati family is the main partner. The Hububati ran a gambling house in Damascus before gambling was banned in the 70s. (E-04.07.11)

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