Casino del Mar celebrates 17th anniversary with $9.7 million renovation

Casino del Mar at La Concha Resort marked its 17th anniversary with the unveiling of a $9.7 million renovation by Paulson Puerto Rico, reinforcing its status as one of Puerto Rico’s top entertainment destinations.

The event included a panel with Rolando Padua, president of Paulson Puerto Rico; Juan Carlos Santaella, Esq., Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission; and Sigfrido De Jesús, General Manager of Casino del Mar. A ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighted both the casino’s physical upgrades and its strategy to drive continued growth in the entertainment, hospitality, and gaming sectors.

“The renovation of Casino del Mar is part of our investment and transformation strategy within The Condado Collection, a conglomerate to which we have allocated $102 million to strengthen and expand Puerto Rico's tourism offerings in the years to come,” said Padua.

The renovation devoted $3.5 million to the casino’s sports betting area, $1.5 million to the high-limit gaming room, and $250,000 to a redesigned main entrance. An additional $200,000 funded security upgrades, restroom renovations, and new display screens.

Other improvements include a new entertainment center with a stage, specialized tournament machines, and $3.3 million in continued modernization efforts. The casino also invested $1 million in new slot machines to enhance its gaming offerings.

The celebration also marked the opening of the BetMGM Sports Lounge at La Concha Resort, a state-of-the-art sports betting hub equipped with advanced technology and high-definition screens. Casino del Mar welcomes approximately 2.4 million visitors annually.

During the event, Santaella highlighted the casino industry’s significant contribution to the local economy, noting that the sector generates $215 million annually. Of that amount, the University of Puerto Rico receives $100 million each year, the General Fund $50 million, and tourism initiatives $65 million. He also emphasized that the Gaming Commission has evolved from a regulatory body into a facilitator of responsible industry expansion.

General Manager Sigfrido De Jesús reflected on the casino’s evolution since its early days. Starting with 145 employees, Casino del Mar now employs 216, supported by training programs that have enabled staff to advance into leadership roles.

De Jesús noted that Puerto Rico’s casino industry has seen major shifts over the past 17 years, from new types of games and immersive experiences to a broader, more diverse customer base. The introduction of sports betting through the BetMGM Sports Lounge has attracted multiple generations of players, strengthening the sector’s competitive edge.

Casino del Mar currently has the highest betting volume in Puerto Rico.