Supplier News
Israel – Israeli officials consider casino town in Negev Desert
By Phil - 10 December 2013
Israeli political leaders have visited Las Vegas as they look at how to ‘build cities in the desert’ and how bringing casino gaming to Israel’s own Negev Desert could benefit the Jewish state.
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval held meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres where the impact of gaming was discussed.
Around 50 leaders met with Governor Sandoval with the main focus of discussion being opportunities involving water conservation, high-tech industries and the emerging drone aircraft sector.
David Siegel, the Los Angeles-based consul general, revealed that Governor Sandoval discussed gaming when he met with Israel’s leaders. He went on to say it was an ‘area of interest’ that it wasn’t yet in the ‘tangible phase’ but that it was something Israel was ‘looking at.’
He highlighted a town in the middle of the Negev Desert as a possible region ripe for casino development. It sits beside the world’s largest crater and is developing as a tourist region. Indeed the government recently constructed The Beresheet Hotel, in Mitzpe Ramon, about 50 miles south of Beersheba. It takes around two hours to drive to the region from the capital Tel Aviv. Accounting for 60 per cent of the country’s land, the Negev is home to only eight per cent of the population. Mr. Siegel said: “Gaming could add to our tourism.”
