Regional round-up
Argentina There are around 150 casinos in Argentina and almost 50,000 slot machines. While the number of new openings has slowed over the last two years there is evidence to suggest that there could be some new openings on the way in the wake of a growth in the domestic tourist industry.
Due to restrictions now in place on the buying of foreign currency, the local tourist industry in Argentina is currently experiencing a boom. Tourist numbers are on the rise especially in the province of Missiones, famous for its Iguazu falls and national park.
The capital and the province of Buenos Aires combined account for 70 per cent of the country’s total gaming market. Gaming in the province has become an increasingly divisive issue of late. This is after the governor of the province, Daniel Scioli, extended the licences of bingo halls by decree in order to pay workers their annual bonuses after a series of all-out strikes. After the move lawmakers called for a review of how gaming is managed in Buenos Aires, with a number of legislators calling for the nationalisation of the industry. According to local press, the current administration is also looking into the issue, with some reports claiming that the government could seek to nationalise casinos nationwide.
This was after the nationalisation of Spanish oil company Reposl, which proved popular among the majority of Argentines. However, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is yet to make any announcements on the issue.
This article can be read in full in the November issue of InterGaming
