Despite rumours that the subtropical autonomous region of Guangxi in southern China might look at gaming as an additional tourist attraction, this has been roundly denied by its vice president. He told a press conference that tourists were welcome to visit the beautiful beaches around the major seaport of Beihai to sunbathe but if they wanted to gamble they should go to Las Vegas.

Apart from the Special Administrative Region of Macau, casinos have been prohibited in China since 1949. Recently some suggestions have been made that legislation for casinos could stop the operation of illegal casinos, and prevent so much money leaving the country to be gambled at foreign casinos. The Chinese authorities presently remain adamant that this will not be permitted.

In 1958 Guangxi became an autonomous region for the minority Zhuang ethnic group, around 90% of whom live in that area. Originally landlocked, the Guangxi region was given a small section of the Guandong coastline and is a major tourist destination for visitors from around the world. Beihai, on the coast, receives millions of tourists every year, bringing revenue of US$260 million in 2005.

The subtropical climate and breathtaking scenery of mountains, rivers and sea have kept the economy mainly tourism-based. However, since the ‘90s industrialisation has been growing as neighbouring Guandong industries have sought to relocate in lower wage areas. For the foreseeable future, despite the idea being discussed, it seems there will be no addition of legal casinos as a further tourist attraction in Guangxi. (E-03.16.07)

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