Operator News
Chile – Ovalle Casino Resort wins last licence in Chile
By Phil - 2 September 2013
Representatives of the Spanish Argentine group Ovalle Casino Resort SA (Invergaming-Spain and Boldt-Argentina ) have won the rights to operate the final casino licence in Chile.
The news, which was announced officially on Saturday, ends a yearlong process during which Ovalle Casino Resort had gradually emerged as firm favourites to win. The group scored a total of 1,825.79 points out of a possible 2,000 points which were available during the tender process after Casino Austria, which initially owned the licence, abandoned the project in 2012.
The group said that it will begin to carry out engineering studies in order to start construction of the casino and hotel complex which will be located in the city of Ovalle, in the Coquimbo region. Four companies had applied to the Superintendence of Casinos (SCJ), Chile, for a license to operate a new casino. The group now has 24 months in which to ensure that the casino is up and running which will be located in sector of Altos de Tuque. With a price tag of US$29m to build the casino will measure 11.577 square metres, will generate 271 jobs and will also come with a new four star hotel with 78 rooms.
The decision to award the licence to Ovalle Casino Resort was made by a Resolution Council which was made up of the Secretary of Finance as Chairman of the Board, Undersecretary of Regional Development, the Superintendent of Securities and Insurance, the Sub Secretary of tourism as well as the Mayor of the Coquimbo Region.
The news was met with a warm welcomed by the mayor of Ovalle Claudio Rentería, who said after the announcement was made that this was a “a great opportunity for the community, and we want to thank the private companies which placed their trust in us.” The Mayor also pointed out that the new project will provide a boost to the local economy by creating jobs and enhancing the local tourism industry. One of the major cornerstones behind Chile’s gaming laws is that casinos must provide a major boost to tourism by creating additional tourist infrastructure and that casinos must be part of four or five star hotels.
