Supplier News
Argentina – Macri election win means major changes in gaming industry likely
By Phil - 27 November 2015
The result of the Presidential elections in Argentina could have a major impact on gaming.
Opposition candidate Mauricio Macri won the presidential election beating rival Daniel Scioli in a closely contested Presidential race on Sunday. Macri has vowed to introduce more pro-business policies will shift Argentina’s foreign policy away from left leaning countries such as Venezuela and Iran in a new period which could well spell the end of the left wing era of the Kirchners. Crucially for the first time 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 gaming.
In addition Macri has long had a more pragmatic approach to gaming than his predecessor Cristina Fernández de Kirchner who was ideologically opposed to gaming on principle. In addition Cristina Fernández de Kirchner had close ties to gambling entrepreneur, Cristóbal López whose company Casino Club has the right to run the slot machines in the racino in downtown Buenos Aires and has a significant share of the floating casinos moored permanently to the city harbour. These operations have long been focal point for dispute during Macri’s tenure as mayor over a massive $2.4bn pesos in back taxes owed to the city by casinos located in the capital.
Gaming, especially in the capital Buenos Aires was also a major issue in Argentina’s presidential elections as well. Macri defended his record when it comes to gaming claiming that as major his administration “set limits” on gaming in the capital from “day one.”
“They (the opposition) have tried to increase the number of bingo halls and we have rejected it and we will put these limits in practice on a national level when we come into power. The body which defines what is done in gaming is the National Lottery – we have only been minor players with little room for action until now,” he said in an interview on local radio.
Although Macri has not spoken on the issue of gaming since his election there are major changes afoot already. On Wednesday (November 25) The Supreme Court confirmed that the city government has police power over the floating casinos. This decision could finally open the door to allow the city the right to tax gaming in Buenos Aires, which would be a huge blow Cristóbal López and give Mauricio Macri a strong argument for not renewing their licences which expire on December 8.
