“We want you to know that Codere is much more than bingo halls and machines”

What goals have you set to achieve when participating in SAGSE?
In 2011, we did not have a booth. This year, we came back with the aim to show the industry that we are much more than bingo halls and machines: we are an entertainment center. It means to count with a gastronomy school and bring constant training to our collaborators, for example. Through our new booth, we also wanted to show how our casinos are decorated when we celebrate an anniversary. Basically, we proposed to communicate everything we do in Codere and show that we are much more than games of chance.

How has 2012 been for the company? What are your objectives for the next year?
Recently, the firm changed the Board of Directors and we are adjusting with much enthusiasm because it was really a very radical change of management. Since last October 8, we are part of the United Nations Global Compact. We are the first entertainment company that is part of this initiative.

We managed to reflect this in the third conference of the first day of Ey!12, “How the sustainable management turned into a key factor for the development of entertainment companies”. I had the chance to moderate this talk which counted with the participation of Flavio Fuertes, of the United Nations Global Compact.

Besides, this year we published the third report of sustainability, but aligned to the international standard of social responsibility Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Although it is not all. We will keep doubling the bet. Next year we will publish an integrated report. It will be one of the first experiences in Argentina. Not many companies are reporting with this style. Besides, we will request the audit of the Argentine Institute of Normalization and Certification (IRAM).

We want to show what we are and inspire the rest of the industry in the way to transparency. We seek to open the doors to our businesses and show people all the things that are developed in the gaming industry. For example, it is very important to remark that we have a hiring policy of local providers. From our business, we want to promote the local development in those places where we have operational influence.

Which is the main challenge of the Argentine industry?
I repeat that I think that, as an industry, we have the great challenge set aside this idea that we are just bingo halls and slots. All the businessmen of the sector will have to bet stronly to become real entertainment centers and offer cultural, artistic and social alternatives for the communities where we are involved. Everything has to be done in a sustainable way.