In order to allow the majority of Chile’s casino operators to attend the show, ChileCasinos Entertainment & Business has been moved from its August slot to a new date during 5-7 December.
The expo remains at the convention Centre Espacio Riesco in Santiago de Chile. The licensing process in Chile under the Gaming Law 2005 has not been as smooth as previously envisaged and so far only nine operators have been selected.
Francisco Panisello, general manager of ChileCasinos, said: “The change of date for the exhibition is the result of only nine operators being granted licences, meaning that in August there would only be nine present at the show. In December, however, all or nearly all of the licences will have been allocated. This, we believe, will enable gaming industry manufacturers and service providers to demonstrate their products to all the investors who will be developing our new gaming centres.”
On 13 July, undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, Maria Olivia Recart, announced the award of 9 licences to operate casinos in Chile for seven of the eleven regions. All the projects are said to comply with the requirements of the licensing process that, besides the construction of a casino, called for the extension of Chile’s tourism infrastructure with hotels, convention centres and other works to support local and regional communities.
The first phase in the authorization of casino operations means a total investment of over US$325 million, the generation of new, direct and permanent employment for 4,405 people, and a notable expansion in capacity and quality in the hotel industry. Licences for Regions V, VI and VII remain outstanding, and Region II is where Spanish-based operator Cirsa has brought a court case against the Municipality.
The evaluation and pre-qualifying process in the three regions is in the hands of the Casino Gaming Board and is expected to be passed to the Licensing Panel on 3 October. In the case of Region II, the SCJ is awaiting the result of the court case. Taking this into consideration, it is hoped that by December the majority of the licences will have been granted and the show will become the meeting place for the whole casino industry.
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- 24 - 26 September, 2008
FER-Interazar 2008 - Spain - 30 September - 02 October, 2008
Balkan Entertainment & Gaming Expo - Bulgaria - 01 - 02 October, 2008
Preview 2009 - UK - 22 - 23 October, 2008
The Betting Show 2008 - UK - 17 - 20 November, 2008
Global Gaming Expo - USA - 27 - 29 January, 2009
International Casino Exhibition 2009 - UK
