Five regional and state chief ministers are throwing their support for the opening of casinos in Myanmar.

The Myanmar Times reported that the ministers from Mandalay, Tanintharyi, Shan, Kayin and Mon have asked Vice President U Henry Van Thio to allow casino operations in hotels in December, as the government officials discussed policies such as excise law, tourism tax, and special visa issuances, among others.

Casino gambling is prohibited in Myanmar under the country’s 1986 Gambling Law but there are many casinos operating illegally in Tanintharyi Region and Shan State, according to the report.

Myanmar Tourism Federation chairman and casino proponent U Yan Win, who was present during the meeting, said the ministers informed Thio that the country was lagging behind its ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) peers in terms of casino investments due to the country’s strict gambling law.