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City leader says municipal management is outdated and no longer effective for modern gaming oversight.
Montevideo Mayor Mario Bergara is calling for the city’s Municipal Casino to be transferred to Uruguay’s national authorities, arguing that local government is no longer the right body to manage gaming operations.
Mayor Mario Bergara’s call to transfer the casino follows a broader push for more strategic regulation, detailed in New Montevideo Mayor Proposes Transition of Casino Parque Hotel to National Oversight.
Bergara’s proposal will be the subject of upcoming meetings with the Ministry of Economy and the General Directorate of Casinos, with discussions focused on aligning the casino’s operations with the country’s broader regulatory framework.
Municipal oversight “no longer makes sense”
Bergara says the current model is rooted in history, not strategy.
Speaking to Canal 5, Bergara explained that the municipal management of the casino exists for historical reasons rather than policy-driven ones. In his view, the municipality has no overarching gaming policy, and responsibility for such regulation should rest with the national level.
He stressed that effective gaming oversight involves far more than simply keeping a venue open with slot machines. According to Bergara, policy should cover which games are offered, where they are played, and include campaigns against gambling addiction and similar public interest initiatives, areas where national regulators have more scope and expertise.
Decline in services reduces appeal
Fewer gaming options have made the venue less attractive to visitors.
Bergara noted that the Municipal Casino’s operations have diminished over time. The flagship facility in Parque Rodó no longer offers traditional table games like cards or roulette, limiting its appeal compared to its historical offerings.
“It makes little sense to manage a casino that has been in decline,”
he said, underlining that the current set-up lacks the features that once drew visitors and helped sustain the business.
Workforce challenges add to the case for change
An ageing staff and upcoming retirements could further reduce operational capacity.
The mayor also pointed to staffing as a factor in the proposed transfer. The casino employs a relatively small workforce, and many employees are approaching retirement age. With limited recruitment and training at the municipal level, Bergara suggested that operational continuity would be difficult to maintain in the coming years without a change in management.
National regulation offers broader oversight
A centralised approach could unify policy and boost sustainability.
Under Bergara’s plan, the casino would be brought under the authority of the General Directorate of Casinos, which operates within the Ministry of Economy. This would place the facility within the same regulatory framework as other casinos in Uruguay, allowing for more consistent policies, broader resources, and coordinated responsible gaming measures.
The proposal aligns with a wider trend toward centralising gaming regulation to ensure uniform standards across the country.
Possible new use for the casino building
A rehabilitation centre has been suggested if operations cannot be sustained.
As part of the debate over the casino’s future, some have suggested repurposing the venue entirely. One option floated is to convert the building into a rehabilitation centre for people struggling with addiction, offering a community service in place of the reduced gaming operation.
What’s next?
Meetings will determine whether the transfer will move forward.
The upcoming discussions between Montevideo’s municipal government, the Ministry of Economy, and the General Directorate of Casinos will define the framework for the transfer. If approved, the move would mark the end of municipal casino management in Montevideo and place the venue’s future firmly under national control.
The decision could signal a shift in Uruguay’s approach to casino oversight, consolidating operations under a single authority to strengthen policy execution and operational sustainability.
Source: Gambling Insider
