Uruguay: Hotel Carmelo to be closed because it generates loses

"I will not subsidize venues that generate loses. The casino that operates in Four Seasons hotel generated a deficit of us$ 500,000 annually," explained Nopitsch to the local media.

Nopitsch has already reached an agreement with directors of Four Seasons Hotel of Carmelo to close temporarily the venue until the National Audit Office (TCR) and the Government issue a statement on the matter. Then, the definite closure will be held. The other venue that Nopitsch closed was the casino located near Merín Lagoon, that was just opened in the Summer season.

Next Monday, the government will issue a decree that will allow the Casino Direction to make a call to investors to perform mixed developments of casinos, except Montevideo. It is a mega tender that will allow private parties to associate to the 29 casinos in the country. There are already 14 interested.

In the past, hotel or tourist investments that were interest in countin with a casino had to pass a series of requirements such as being declared of touristic interest. Now they will be allowed to present to the so-called Casino Direction with just presenting a proved project of a touristic, cultural, social or sports development.

In mixed developments of casinos, particular parties must develop a gambling hall ans its equipment. Besides, the state is in charge of managing the venue and put the casino team. In exchange, the investor has a arrendamiento for the use of a venue according to its profitability. "This system is not a casino privatization, because the state keeps the control on them,” added Nopitsch.