In April 2025, the Government of Timor-Leste hosted the grand opening of its first legal casino resort—Oecusse Five-Star Integrated Resort—in a milestone event attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Governor of the Oecusse Special Administrative Region.
This flagship development marks a significant step in the country’s journey toward establishing a modern tourism and entertainment economy. As Timor-Leste’s sole licensed casino resort, the project combines land-based gaming, online betting, luxury accommodation, retail, financial services, and leisure facilities, with ambitions to become a world-class entertainment hub serving Southeast Asia, Australia, and beyond.
Legalization of Gaming: A Strategic Move for Timor-Leste
As one of Southeast Asia’s youngest nations, Timor-Leste has long relied on oil and gas revenues as its primary economic driver. However, in pursuit of economic diversification, the government has actively promoted the development of the tourism and entertainment sectors. In 2025, the national parliament passed legislation to formally legalize casino operations, but limited licensing to a single concession, awarded to GRU (Golden River Universe)—the operator behind the Oecusse Integrated Resort. This exclusive approach is designed to prevent market oversaturation and ensure a high-value, well-regulated gaming environment.
Located in the Oecusse Special Economic Zone, a Timorese exclave surrounded by Indonesian West Timor, the resort enjoys preferential policies including tax incentives and streamlined regulations. Its strategic geography positions it to attract international tourists, especially high-spending travelers from Australia, Southeast Asia, and China.
Project Highlights and Features
Jointly developed by an internationally renowned hotel group and local Timorese enterprise, the project is being rolled out in phases with a total projected investment exceeding USD 1 billion. Key components include:
Luxury Five-Star Hotel
Over 500 rooms and private villas, equipped with a world-class spa, private beach access, and fine dining.
World-Class Casino
Offering baccarat, roulette, Texas hold’em, and thousands of slot machines, all monitored by AI-driven surveillance to ensure fair play and integrity.
Online Gaming Platform
Backed by a legitimate license, the platform will provide live dealer services, sports betting, and e-sports wagering for global markets (excluding restricted jurisdictions).
High-End Retail and Entertainment
Featuring international luxury brands, duty-free shopping, a concert venue, and cinemas for a comprehensive entertainment experience.
Financial Services Hub
Including offshore banking, cryptocurrency trading, and investment advisory—catering to high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors.
The project has already secured major backing from Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad and Timorese conglomerate CMC Group, with plans for a future public listing on a Southeast Asian stock exchange to scale capital operations.
Targeting the Southeast Asia–Australia Corridor
The government envisions the resort as Timor-Leste’s equivalent to Marina Bay Sands (Singapore) or The Venetian (Macau). Compared to those established destinations, Oecusse offers several key advantages:
Lower Tax Rates: Corporate tax at 10% and gaming tax at 15%—substantially below Macau’s 39%.
Liberal Visa Policy: Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access for travelers from China, Australia, and ASEAN countries.
Underserved Market Potential: While Southeast Asia’s gaming scene is dominated by the Philippines and Cambodia, Timor-Leste’s unique position as the only country with a single legal casino license gives it unmatched exclusivity.
Australia, which ranks among the world’s top markets in per capita gambling spend, presents significant outbound demand. With just a 90-minute flight from Darwin, Oecusse is ideally positioned to attract Australian players who face increasingly stringent regulations at home.
Economic Impact and Growth Outlook
The resort is projected to:
Generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs
Contribute over 20% of Timor-Leste’s tourism-related GDP within five years
Spur further development, including a second casino license under consideration for the capital, Dili, to sustain economic momentum
The launch of the Oecusse Integrated Resort signifies Timor-Leste’s formal entry into the global gaming and tourism markets. With a monopoly license, favorable fiscal regime, and strategic location, the project is well-positioned to set a new benchmark in Southeast Asia’s entertainment sector.
If successfully executed, Timor-Leste could emerge as Asia’s next premier gaming and tourism destination, following in the footsteps of Macau and Singapore.
🎥 Watch the project video here: