The Deep South T
Casinos abound in the dynamic southern region of Latin America. Here are a few that stand out.
by Rich Geller
he three southernmost countries of South America are seeing invest- ment in new and existing casino resort properties, with an added focus on entertainment. Latin gaming news specialist Soloazar re- ported in August that Argentina alone accounts for about 10 percent
of the $2.5 billion being put into new casino resort projects on the continent. In Uruguay, just north of Argentina, projects totaling more than $160 mil- lion are under way. And in Chile, with 15 of 18 new casinos already in opera- tion, almost $1 billion is involved. This new generation of casino resorts features modern technology in
guest rooms, including internet access, flat-screen TVs, in-room safes, elec- tronic key systems, minibars and the like. The hotels are of four- and five-star category, with 24-hour room service, Wi-Fi in public areas, large meeting and function rooms, spas and parking. There is an emphasis on a wide range of food and beverage formats, the inclusion of retail shopping experiences and non-gaming-related, family-style entertainment. The reason for the ongoing activity is demand. In recent years, reports
from Dublin-based Research and Markets have estimated the total gaming market of Latin America—both legal and illegal offerings—at more than $150 billion annually. Travel and tourism generate about $200 billion and growth in that sector is anticipated at 5.1 percent each year through 2020. The totals are for all 33 countries and the roughly 570 million inhabitants of Latin America. Argentina’s gaming market is ranked third overall, generating $4.5 bil-
lion annually. A big boost to business in Argentina and especially Uruguay is their proximity to Brazil. At an estimated annual $7 billion-plus total, Brazil is home to the biggest domestic gaming market in Latin America. But with no legal casino gaming available at home, Brazilians travel to the neighboring lands to enjoy that particular activity—many of them to the Las Vegas-style Conrad Punta del Este Resort & Casino in Uruguay.
UrUgUay
Situated on the coast where the Atlantic Ocean and the River Plate meet, the Conrad Punta del Este features 296 rooms, 41 of which are suites. In the first three months of 2011—the equivalent weather-wise of June through August in the Northern Hemisphere—hotel occupancy hit a record 96 percent, re- ports Brazilian website Revista Hoteis. A full 70 percent of those guests were from Brazil. During Carnaval, there were four charters from Sao Paulo, a two-and-a-half hour flight to the Punta del Este airport, which is 20 minutes
42 Conrad Punta del Este is home to the Conrad Poker Tour.
from the Conrad. Last April, Argentine website Business BA quoted the Portuguese-lan-
guage Revista Hoteis as saying, “In January alone, the number of guests at the Punta del Este Conrad was greater than the legendary Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.” The comparison with Caesars is most likely due to the fact the 14- year-old Conrad is 95 percent owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment. In April, Anay Gremaud, sales manager for the Conrad’s Sao Paulo of-
fice, told Hotelier Newsthat on average 57 percent of hotel guests are individ- uals or casino players. The rest are primarily corporate guests and organized leisure groups. To maintain the momentum, major renovations have been performed
on the casino, the convention center and guest rooms. The convention center saw $1 million invested in new carpeting, wall treatments and lighting. A redo
Global Gaming Business • November 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68