Last July, the Armenian government approved plans to build a 30 billion AMD ($62million) winter resort complex in the country’s Aragatzotn Province.

The Armenian Ministry of Economy now reports that it wants to grant a casino license to Mayler Mountain Resort, the resort’s developer.

The ministry says the company should pay an annual fee of ten million AMD ($20,900) for the casino license.  

The government would also have to issue a special status for the casino given that under current law, casinos/gambling halls can only operate in the resort towns of Tzaghkadzor (Kotayk), Jermuk (Vayots Dzor), Sevan (Gegharkunik), and Meghri (Syunik).

Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan, who presented the draft investment program last July, argued that the casino will not be the focus of the winter resort

He said that $27 million will be invested in the construction of ski lifts, $8 million in an artificial snow system and $7 million out of the total investment of $62 million will be for the casino. 

Myler Mountain Resort CJSC claims 250 construction jobs will be available and that the resort, featuring a hotel, ski lifts and a casino will employ 1,500. The company says the resort will have the capacity to accommodate 500,00 customers a year and will earn enough to pay 1.2 billion AMD in taxes.

Kerobyan says the project will boost economic development in the region.