Casino Damascus

[metronome]

Read this a.m. that Syria is opening a casino in Damascus. I new there was casino gambling in Lebanon but also Turkey as well.
I got curious to know if any members here could shed some lite on these faraway lands as to the # of decks, rules and quality of "middle east blackjack."
I know the Quran forbids gambling, making the Syrian development interesting.

[FLASH1296]

Don't forget the casinos in Egypt.

Islam forbids their members to gamble, drink, do anything hedonist in nature.

The casinos are for passport-bearing foreign tourists ONLY.

From the view of Islam, proscribed activities do not apply to infidels.

From the Judeo-Christian viewpoint issues of morality / ethics etc. apply to ALL.

This is why Islamic Fundamentalists see it as appropriate to blow up women and children,
mourners at funerals, etc. while "westerners" see such as atrocious.

[21forme]

I was in Turkey last year and don't recall seeing any casinos (or ads or signs for any).

The last place on the planet I'd want to be an AP is in a Arab country's casino.

[metronome]

The A.P. story quotes a guy named Marwan, who states that it is a good economic move but bad for Syrian society, and he is a twice weekly customer.
Also states the the gamblers refused to identify themselves as it reflects the stigma associated with gambling.

[bj21abc]

Turkey used to have casinos up until a few years ago - when Islam began playing a larger role in politics.... Now the only casinos left are in the Turkish part of Cyprus (debatable as to whether that is part of Turkey or not...)

As I recall BJT wrote about Cairo - good games but suits were smart - and information was immediately shared between all stores. Could be interesting playing Cairo these days

D.

Originally Posted by 21forme

I was in Turkey last year and don't recall seeing any casinos (or ads or signs for any).

The last place on the planet I'd want to be an AP is in a Arab country's casino.

[blackriver]

Thought I saw a thread thqt said the cyprus rules give plays a .2% edge of the top and only half shoes, that still true? Do they accept big action and basic strategy players?