Operator News
Uruguay – Uruguay President poised to approve Cipriani Ocean Resort
By Phil - 4 November 2019
Uruguay’s President, Tabaré Vázquez, has signed a resolution which approves the feasibility of a new casino in Punta del Este. The new casino had already received favourable reports from the officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Tourism.
According to a resolution signed by the President, the complex named Cipriani Ocean Resort and Club Residences – Punta del Este includes the construction of “a new San Rafael Hotel, casino, commercial premises, convention centre, theatre, spa and amenities, two underground garages and residences.”
Both the Ministries of Tourism and Economy and Finance issued “favourable” reports that make a second private casino in Punta del Este possible.
Businessman Giuseppe Cipriani had said that the casino licence was a ‘fundamental’ part of the new project.
At the moment, the Chilean group that owns the Enjoy hotel also in Punta del Este has not made a statement regarding the possibility of a new casino. According to local law the only other private casino could only be granted in the popular tourist destination, if an investment equal to or greater than that of the former Conrad hotel casino is made – something which had looked highly unlikely until now.
The emblematic 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 government will initiate a public tender for the operation of the casino.
