Uruguay authorises FO.SA.RA. to operate Hotel Locanda casino temporarily
Licences & markets1 min read
Uruguay's government reportedly authorised FO.SA.RA. S.A., part of Grupo Cipriani, to start private casino operations at Hotel Locanda in La Barra for up to 24 months. The exceptional, temporary approval requires guarantees of at least US$33.3m for the original Punta del Este resort, whose construction is 80% complete. FO.SA.RA. said it trained 250 workers and plans to open on 15 December.
Uruguay's government authorised FO.SA.RA. S.A. to operate a casino in La Barra for up to 24 months, following delays to the Hotel Casino San Rafael project. The exceptional, temporary authorisation allows the Grupo Cipriani company to begin private gambling operations at Hotel Locanda.
The government made the authorisation conditional on guarantees of at least $33.3m to ensure completion of the original project. A Ministry of Tourism technical report put overall progress on the main San Rafael complex's civil works at 80%.
The developer said it could not meet the original November 2026 completion schedule for the Punta del Este resort, citing construction-sector labour disputes and industrial action, contractor delays and adverse weather. The measure aims to preserve jobs linked to the operation and support tourism during the coming summer season.
The authorisation came through a joint resolution of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Tourism, signed by President Yamandú Orsi and minister Gabriel Oddone. FO.SA.RA. said it had trained 250 workers for the casino's gaming area. The company plans to open the Hotel Locanda casino on 15 December.