This Thursday will be a pivotal day as the Superintendency of Casinos’ Advisory Council reviews and decides on the early resignation presented by the Enjoy company to abandon the operation of the Viña del Mar casino. It’s important to recall that Casino del Mar S.A. submitted this request back in February of this year, citing a tax debt with the Treasury that exceeds 8 billion pesos.
Concejales solicitan comisión especial para abordar actual situación del casino de Viña del Mar
Originally, the private operator had a contract stipulated until the end of 2036. However, if the resignation is accepted, it will become effective by the end of 2028. This has sparked a wide-ranging debate in the political and academic spheres due to the potential economic impact that the acceptance of this request could have on the Garden City and the region as a whole.
In this regard, Carlos Smith, an economist from the Center for Business and Society Research at the Universidad del Desarrollo, emphasized the figure of over $20 million in revenue that is distributed to institutions such as the municipality and the Regional Government.
«The figure collected that is distributed to institutions such as the municipality and the Regional Government exceeds $20 million dollars.»
Regarding the possible consequences of this exit, Víctor Valenzuela, an economist from the Universidad Andrés Bello, stressed that they are multiple and range from unemployment to a reduction in the regional gross domestic product.
«The consequences of this exit are multiple and range from unemployment to a reduction in the regional gross domestic product.»
In the same vein, Luis Cuello, a communist deputy and member of the Finance Commission, expressed concern over the jobs that would be lost if this exit is accepted and the economic impact it could have on the municipality.
«We are concerned about the jobs that would be lost if this exit is accepted and the economic impact it could have on the municipality.»
The members of this Council will have the final say on the fate of the private operator. Among them are figures from the ruling party, such as the regional governor, Rodrigo Mundaca, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Heidi Berner, and the Deputy Minister of Regional Development, Francisca Perales.
