Latin America has been one of the more active markets for new gaming development in recent years. With the recent expansion in Chile now almost complete, some operators are turning their attention to Uruguay and other live jurisdictions, while still others are hoping legislation finally opens up the likes of Brazil and Mexico.
Grupo Orenes of Spain is one of the new players in Uruguay. The operator of seven casinos plus bingo, slot parlors, sports betting and hotels in its home market, Grupo Orenes has submitted bids on four projects in Uruguay, reports Latin news source Web del Juego. The model offered by the Uruguayan legislation calls for developers to build and furnish a casino and hotel, and then lease the casino operation to the government.
Egasa, also of Spain, has completed one casino project in Chile, at Copiapo, and is working on another at Arica. Now the company is looking to expand into Colombia, Peru and Panama, with the goal to have 10 casinos in Latin America by the end of 2012.
Latin American developers who have completed or near-completed projects in Chile are also turning their attention to nearby jurisdictions.
Fischer Group, which is involved in five Chilean properties, is already active in Peru, where it operates some 1,000 slot machines and is looking to grow, reports La Tercera. Ivisa, of Argentina, is also interested in a new casino in Peru and another at home.
Now all eyes are on Brazil, which is attempting to legalize bingo before the end of the year.
