40 billion peso investment expected in Buenos Aires Province casinos
40 billion peso investment expected in Buenos Aires Province casinos
More than 5,000 tourists and residents of Mar del Plata participated in the traditional first roulette wheel spin that marked the inauguration of the summer season at the Central Casino in the coastal resort city of Mar del Plata. During the event the President of the Institute of Lottery and Casinos Gonzalo Atanasof said that the casinos sector in Buenos Aires Province would soon see an investment of around 40 billion pesos.
The event was held alongside the Minister of Government of the province of Buenos Aires, Carlos Bianco, and a number of other government officials.
After the launch of the first roulette ball, Atanasof highlighted the investment process projected for the sector following the tendering of the Hermitage and Sasso casinos, as well as those in Tandil and Miramar. “An investment of around 40 billion pesos is anticipated. This is a very significant bet that will generate economic movement, employment, and a substantial improvement in the quality of services and facilities.
“In a challenging economic context, these investments represent a clear sign of support for tourism and entertainment, with a direct impact on regional activity and the development of each of the cities where these casinos operate,” he concluded.
For his part, Minister Carlos Bianco stated, “It is an honour to participate in this traditional summer event surrounded by so many tourists in this Central Casino that, in addition to providing moments of entertainment, gathering, and recreation, generates genuine resources for the Province that are subsequently directed to concrete public policies such as health, education, and public works.”
In April the head of the lottery signed a resolution that initiated the bidding process for seven casinos located in different parts of the province, which have so far been operating under an extension of their concession.
With this new bidding process, the goal is for bidders to invest in building improvements, modernize the gaming floors and slot machine offerings, and develop competitive entertainment spaces with culinary and entertainment options available year-round.
A 20-year exploitation period is anticipated, with the possibility of extending for an additional year.
The tender is for the casinos in Necochea, Miramar, Tandil, Sasso, Hermitage, Mar de Ajó, and Sierra de la Ventana. Shortly before the announcement the lottery extended the contracts between the agency and the company Boldt S.A. regarding its operation of six of these locations (all except the Necochea casino which is currently in a state of disrepair).
In July the envelopes with bids were opened. For the casinos in Tandil and Miramar, Boldt was the sole bidder, having already operated in both locations. At the Hermitage venue in Mar del Plata, Boldt will compete with Casino Victoria.
For the operation of the slots at the Sasso Hotel in Mar del Plata the Union of Workers in Tourism, Hotels, and Gastronomy (UTHGRA) presented itself as the only bidder submitting its proposal through a Temporary Union of Enterprises (UTE) with company Yukon. However there were no bidders for the three casinos that require the highest infrastructure investment: Sierra de la Ventana, Mar de Ajó, and Necochea.
In October the Provincial Institute of Lotteries and Casinos published the preliminary results of the tender. According to the Pre-Award Committee’s report, Boldt SA achieved 79 points in its bids for the Hotel Hermitage, the Miramar Casino, and the Tandil Casino. Casino de Victoria SA, meanwhile, scored 43.5 points for the Hermitage.
Meanwhile in December the mayor of Necochea, Arturo Rojas announced that the casino there will be auctioned off with a starting bid of almost 5 billion pesos. The sale project was approved by a large majority (18 in favour and 2 against) and had the support of councillors from all parties.
