“We want to expand our investments in Argentina”

What gaming operations has the group have in Latin America today?
Our group has activities mainly in Europe and Africa. In Latin America, it operates casinos in Ecuador, in Chile and now operates seven casinos in Río Negro.

Which are the gaming markets that you consider more interesting to make investments?
We keep on developing the business where we are established; markets that we still think have possibilities of expansion.

In your opinion, What is the current situation of the local market with regards of gaming operations and opportunities of new business?
The local market keeps sourprising us due to its strenght and its potentialities. Our experience made us see that when we modernize and improve the entertainment inside the casinos, the business is boosted. That’s why we got involved in the market of Rio Negro, which offers us an important potential.

Are you interested in making new investments in Argentina? In which markets?
We think that Argentina still has several markets that are not saturated, for example, the market of Neuquén still offers perspectivas of expansion. We noticed that the firm Pinnacle, owner of Casino Magic, is having conversations to sell its business in the province, but this last month we have found a lot of difficulty to communicate with the people in charge of the sale. We still hope to have a chance to participate in that purchase.

The French society International Group of Gaming & Resorts acquired the 29% of Casinos Crown, buying part of the share of Edward Mc Murphy. Crown operates the venues in Las Grutas, El Cóndor, Viedma, Cipolletti, Roca, Catriel and Choele Choel, all of them towns of the province of Río Negro.

French investments are also consolidated in the gaming operation in Chile with a participation in Monticello Grand Casino in Mostazal, 56 kilometres from Santiago de Chile. The complex comprises a gambling hall with 1.500 slots, a five-star hotel with 70 rooms, a disco, restaurant, convention centers and commercial stores. Raineau heads IGGR Chile, but the firm also has casinos en France, Egypt and Ecuador.