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South Asia is about to welcome a game-changing addition to its luxury tourism scene: City of Dreams Sri Lanka, a $1.2 billion integrated resort built through a landmark partnership between John Keells Holdings and Melco Resorts & Entertainment, is scheduled to officially open its doors on August 2, 2025. Located in the heart of Colombo, the property marks the region's first fully integrated luxury gaming resort.

World-Class Casino, Hotels, and Entertainment

The resort will feature an impressive 180,000 sq ft casino—managed by Melco and built to international standards—alongside two top-tier hotels. The first, the 687-room Cinnamon Life hotel, opened in October 2024. The second, the ultra-luxury 113‑room Nüwa hotel, will be launched alongside the casino. Visitors can expect premium shopping malls, world-class dining by renowned chefs, and immersive entertainment spaces designed for both international and local performances.

Driving Sustainable Tourism

This development isn’t just about luxury—it’s a significant leap for sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka. Designed with eco‑friendly technologies, cultural integration, and community benefit at its core, the resort aims to balance upscale experiences with responsible environmental and social stewardship.

Economic Boost and Job Creation

Economically, the launch is poised to deliver a major boost: it is expected to generate over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, drive foreign exchange inflows, and attract discerning tourists and business events across South Asia. The sector is also seeing stronger regulation—Sri Lanka’s government recently implemented a Gambling Regulatory Authority to safeguard transparency, anti‑money laundering, and responsible gaming practices, along with revised tax rates and entry fees to improve sector oversight.

Leaders’ Vision for the Future

In a joint statement, Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of John Keells Group, hailed the casino and Nüwa hotel opening as the realization of a decade-old vision, promising to set a “new benchmark in South Asia for world-class lifestyle, entertainment and retail offerings”. Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO of Melco, added that the resort would catalyze tourism demand and stimulate economic growth by leveraging Sri Lanka’s strategic location and Melco’s global expertise.

With AJM, help is always at hand!  

In conclusion, the launch of the City of Dreams casino in Sri Lanka symbolizes a progressive step for Asia's gaming industry. AJM offers comprehensive recruitment services to businesses looking to join this promising growth. Contact us to see how our expert advice and services can help your business scale in this exciting new market.