Supplier News
Argentina – Major changes on the way for gaming in Buenos Aires
By Phil - 18 January 2016
The Mayor of Buenos Aires Horacio Rodriguez Larreta and President Mauricio Macri have begun to negotiate the transfer of gaming to the jurisdiction of the City of Buenos Aires.
According to reports emerging in local media, the government has begun talks with the owner of Casino Club, Cristóbal López regarding plans to reduce the number of slot machines in the floating casinos tied permanently to the city port and those located in the racino in Palermo.
In 2003 Casino Club was granted the right to run slot machines in the racino. The company now runs over 4,000 slot machines beneath the racetrack and around 1,500 on the floating casinos in Puerto Madero. In addition more competition will be permitted within the city limits with speculation growing that the five bingo halls located in the city could be permitted to increase the number of slot machines on site.
The government is also raising gaming taxes. According to the new budget, which went into effect at the beginning of this month, tax will increase from eight per cent to 12 per cent on gross gaming revenue.
The industry could see a number of other important changes over the coming months as the government seeks to gain more control over gaming with the recently elected mayor attempting to place all gaming operations which are located in the city under the city’s jurisdiction for the first time.
Mauricio Macri won the presidential election beating rival Daniel Scioli in a closely contested Presidential race in December and his Cambiemos (Let’s Change) party now holds power over the province of Buenos Aires, the City of Buenos Aires and the executive branch which could mean a more cohesive approach when it comes to governing the country including gaming.
