In 2011, former President Hugo Chávez ordered the absolute closure of casinos and bingo halls, considering them “places of disgrace” that only served to enrich the “bourgeoisie”.
That measure has left nearly 100,000 people out of work, according to a 2012 report by the Venezuelan Bingo and Casino Workers Union (STBCV).
The Venezuelan newspaper Tal Cual explained that, despite the criticism and the non-fulfillment of promises of economic reinvestment, President Nicolas Maduro is currently preparing to re-establish the game, having authorized the reopening of 30 casinos in the country.
“It is expected that these establishments will open their doors from next week”, read the published article.
It should be noted that the theme of reopening arose in December 2020, when the President announced the opening of the “International Casino at the Hotel Humboldt”. In fact, several videos were made in which people were seen playing there, but the Venezuelan crypto currency ‘Petro’, launched with the opening of the casino, was not used.
All casinos that will reopen in the country
Within this context, the Ciudad Jardín casino, located in the Hotel Pipo de Maracay, Aragua state, recently reopened its doors and held the inauguration of “a full house” on the night of August 31st.
According to the local press, the casinos that will soon open their doors will be those in Caracas (Hotel Dubai, Waldorf, Conami, Tamanaco and the casino that was transferred from Hotel Humboldt’s to Eurobuilding); Miranda (Coliseo, Macaracuay, La Cáscara, La Urbina and Buenaventura); Nueva Esparta (Charaima, Caribe Plaza and Concorde); Lara (Tiuna, Lidotel and Jirajara); and Aragua (Platinum and Ballagio, as well as Ciudad Jardín at Hotel Pipo, which has already opened).
Zulia’s game rooms (Del Sur, Maruma and Inter de Maracaibo) were also added to the list; Bolivar (Roraima and Guayana); Falcon (Baywasht, Tucacas); Carabobo (Inter de Valencia); Anzoategui (Sun Casino); Barinas (Center Llanos) and Portuguesa (Eco Inn).
