"EGASA will no doubt start being a reference for operations at an international level"

How does EGASA face its current international expansion plans?

EGASA group is already a consolidated company in Spain and we are a reference within the sector. Headed by its president José González Fuentes and its vicepresident Alfredo Gonzále, the firm iniciated a strong international expansion some time ago.

How many venues currently operate in Spain?

EGASA was created more than 30 years ago and operates 50 gambling centres with 10,000 machines, on top of its participation in two traditional casinos and four bingos, and has a thousand employees. Altough the main activity is gambling, EGASA also develops other activities like trips, real state services, promotion of houses and stores, hotel business, etc.

What will be the future philosophy of EGASA?

Our trend for the future will be focused on the development and operation of integral leisure and entertaining centers with casinos. We believe it is necessary yo achieve that type of products with different kind of options for the enjoyment of the family.

Nowadays, you are analysing a series of emerging markets and are considering markets like South America and Europe, etc.... Which are the main business focus that the company has with regards to its expansion?

There are many emerging markets and we will go to those places in which we find a proper scenario. Latin American potential is not a secret, and it is a well-known market for us. A great part of our efforts and investments will have to be allocated to those countriesin the region that offer a long-term stability guarranty.

Talking about Eastern Europe, it is recovering its status and it will gradually integrate the European Community. This market is also interesting for our company due to the big transformation it is experimenting. We will start operating in Croatia.

EGASA is still competing for another license in Chile. What is the current position on the matter and which do you think the results will be and when?

It is true that it exists a certain controversy on the granting of licenses. In my view, we have to leave the subject as it is and let the competent entities act. In our case, we have to focus on the license that we have already obtained, together with Nervión Group, for the future Casino de Copiapó.

In Copiapó case... When will the complex start operating and what is the estimated investment?

We think that in a year and a half Copiapó could be opened. The investment is around us$ 20 million. It will be an attractive project backed by important professionals.

Will it be the beginning?

Yes. We intend to have other achievements. We aim to be a reference in the international market in the future, specially regarding Integral entertaining complex with casinos.