Fernando Hansen leads the AMS Casinos union. He’s been meeting with city councilors and the Buenos Aires Institute of Lotteries and Casinos to figure out what happens next.
Mayor Arturo Rojas joined the talks. The municipal council backed the effort – Hansen said every political group supports finding a fix, not just one party.
Business owners from local establishments Ernnan’s and Etiopía might help. They’re looking at other spots in town where the gaming hall could move. But there’s a legal problem.
Why This Matters for Gaming Workers
The tender process failed twice. Not a single company bid on running Necochea’s slot operations.
Jobs are at risk. The casino employs local workers who depend on steady income from gaming operations.
Necochea was part of a bigger plan. Buenos Aires Province wanted to modernise seven casinos by opening them to private bids. That strategy isn’t working here.
The casino itself has history – the building dates back to 1973, though gaming started in Necochea way back in 1913. Losing it would erase decades of local gaming tradition.
What Steps They’re Taking Now
Hansen told local media the union will push for relocating the gaming hall if the tender stays empty. He said: “If the second tender remains void, we will have to begin advancing the possibility of relocating the gaming hall to another place in the seaside town.”
The council plans to pass a resolution. Hansen explained it’ll come from the entire body, not just one group: “This is transversal to all political spaces.”
There’s a catch. Current laws don’t allow moving the casino without changing the ordinances. Hansen admitted: “For that to happen, there must exist a modification of an ordinance that allows us to leave the place where we are currently deployed; otherwise it will be very difficult.”
How This Affects Summer Season Plans
Time’s running short. Hansen said getting legal changes done before summer tourists arrive would be “extremely difficult.”
The casino will probably stay where it is for now. Moving takes paperwork, approvals, and construction work that can’t happen in weeks.
Provincial authorities face pressure. They need to restart the tender, keep people employed, and make their modernisation plan actually work.
Necochea’s situation shows the challenges facing Argentina’s gaming sector. Empty tenders mean private operators don’t see value. And when that happens, local communities pay the price.
