Operator News
Uruguay – New bill could open Uruguay to online gambling and green light Cipriani’s casino
By Phil - 26 January 2022
The Uruguayan Ministry of Economy (MEF) has presented a new bill to parliament to legalise online gambling.
The proposal, coming from the Office of the President, would empower the national regulator, Dirección General de Casinos, to offer online gambling directly and would also allow it for existing land-based licensees. The bill aims to address the ‘recent increase in the importance of igaming, which is sure to increase further in the future.’
The new legislation would also open the door for Giuseppe Cipriani’s casino resort in Punta del Este.
In talks with President Tabaré Vázquez, Cipriani is said to have expressed his interest in offering online gambling in addition to land-based gambling in the planned casino resort.
The San Rafael hotel in Punta del Este, has been closed since 2011, but was acquired by the Cipriani Group for more than US$40m in February 2018 after an agreement was signed by Giuseppe Cipriani.
The project, which is being overseen by New York architect Rafael Viñoly, will a new San Rafael Hotel with 70 hotel rooms, 75 private apartments and the casino in its first phase.
