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Cipriani Group is discussing a proposed casino at Locanda, the former Hotel Mantra property in Uruguay, as the delayed opening of its flagship Punta del Este resort affects more than 300 academy trainees who had been preparing for roles linked to the project.
The group has held several meetings with Uruguay’s Ministry of Economy and submitted an action plan setting out the proposed casino and associated investment, according to El Observador. Cipriani is considering a smaller, temporary casino at Locanda and has indicated an investment of between US$10m and US$12m, although the group and government still need to agree on the period for which the gaming room could operate.
The proposal would allow students to gain practical experience in an operating casino while construction continues at the former San Rafael hotel site.
The former Mantra previously operated as the Mantra Resort & Casino, meaning Cipriani’s proposal would revive gaming at the La Barra property under new ownership, subject to government agreement.
Cipriani has said the academy would use the property’s existing infrastructure, including a five-star, 110-room hotel and the Harry’s Table by Cipriani restaurant, alongside a potential casino space. The proposal is intended to combine training in high-end hospitality, gastronomy and international casino operations with practical work in a live setting.
Cipriani has postponed the opening of its Cipriani Resort, Residences & Casino Punta del Este until the 2027–28 summer season. The project had previously been expected to open in December 2026, meaning it will miss the 2026–27 summer season. Cipriani attributed the latest delay to accumulated problems in carrying out the construction works.
The future resort is being developed on the La Brava beachfront site of the former San Rafael hotel, which was demolished in 2019. Current reporting puts the planned investment at around US$700m, although earlier concession reporting cited an estimated US$450m and the group has said it has already invested around US$295m in the broader San Rafael and academy developments.
Plans for the San Rafael development include a 64-suite hotel, residential accommodation, a casino with table games and slot machines, private and VIP areas, plus food, beverage and leisure facilities. The resort is intended to be Cipriani’s first resort worldwide and first development in the southern hemisphere.
Cipriani won a 20-year concession in December 2020 to operate a private casino at the former San Rafael site. The award to Fosara S.A., part of the Cipriani Group, was conditional on construction and operation of a luxury hotel, with the concession term beginning once the hotel and casino are completed and operational.
Cipriani’s existing casino authorisation is tied to the San Rafael development. The group must therefore secure government agreement to operate at Locanda instead, and the Mantra proposal remains under discussion.
