Necochea court suspends casino complex auction in Argentina
Regulation1 min read
A judge in Argentina’s Necochea judicial district suspended the effects of Ordinance 12.009/25 and the planned 11 February 2026 auction of the casino complex. The municipality said the order should not require a heritage commission opinion or prior environmental assessment and said it would appeal.
A judge in Argentina’s Necochea judicial district suspended an ordinance and its scheduled 11 February 2026 auction of the Casino Complex until a judgment is issued in the case. The municipality said it disagreed with the judge’s reasoning and would pursue legal remedies to overturn the order.
The judge said the Preservation Commission should have issued an opinion and an environmental impact assessment should have preceded changes the ordinance would bring to Miguel Lillo Park.
The municipality said the municipal executive, rather than the commission, was responsible for applying the rules governing the removal of heritage-designated assets from public use. It cited article 3 of Ordinance 4238/00, as amended by article 4 of Ordinance 7106/10, and said no commission opinion was required.
The municipality said Ordinance 12.009/25 provided for the sale of municipal public property in its existing condition, without construction projects or changes to buildings. It argued that a sale would change ownership only and would not require a prior environmental assessment or public consultation at this stage. The municipality said public participation would take place during approval of new planning indicators and land uses, with the involvement of Buenos Aires province.
Mayor Arturo Rojas said he respected the court’s decision despite disagreeing with it and would respond through legal channels.