Supplier News
Chile – Enjoy hopes to continue to operate casino in Viña del Mar
By Phil - 22 August 2014
A company executive from Enjoy has stated that revenues in Chile are beginning to improve after being hit by the smoking ban and stated that the company plans to continue to operate the casino Viña del Mar in 2015 once the municipal licences end.
General Manager of the casino of Viña del Mar Rodolfo Prat said that the company has a long standing bond with the local community and expressed his hope that Enjoy will continue to run the casino in the Municipality of Viña del Mar even if the casino comes under the supervision of the Chilean Gaming Control Board next year.
Referring to the fact that from the beginning of 2016 the seven municipal casinos will come under the supervision of the Chilean Gaming Board and the tax will be split equally between the local municipality and the central government, Mr. Prat said that the handing over of control to the Gaming Control Board would not greatly affect its operations. This was because the company’s “philosophy is to do things right, independent of the regulator who audits us,” he said.
Speaking to local news portal El Mecurio de Valparaíso Mr. Prat went on to explain the reason behind the company’s good fortunes in Chile. “Revenues have recovered gradually. And today we are on a good footing, as we have been able to respond to all the needs of our customers,” he said. The casino in Viña del Mar has experienced improved revenue over recent months as a result of a rethinking of the management model that has allowed the company to increase the number of visitors and average bets with the strategy leading to a 29 percent growth in slot machine revenue compared to last year.
While there have been a number of new opening of late leading to increasing competition this has, according to Mr. Prat, led to casinos becoming a more inclusive entertainment option and casinos in Chile are attracting regular and less frequent visitors in increasing numbers alike while attracting new players.
Enjoy was also the first company in Chile to open outside slot smoking area in its casinos in response to the smoking ban which went into effect on March 1 2013. In all Enjoy operates over 6,000 slot machines, 274 tables and 860 bingo seats in Chile.
