Best Casino Destinations in South America

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Posted: December 16, 2021

Updated: December 16, 2021

  • In the field of gambling, Latin America is a fairly untapped resource
  • However, there are good opportunities for the development of gambling in this territory
  • In this article, we will explore the best casino destinations in South America

In the field of gambling, Latin America is a fairly untapped resource. However, there are good opportunities for the development of gambling in this territory, since more than one and a half billion people live in Latin American countries. Indeed, many businessmen who invest in gambling have already begun to explore Latin America. Over the past decades, the situation in the field of gambling has begun to change only for the better. In this article, we will explore the best casino destinations in South America. 

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Features of the gambling business in the region

Today in Latin American countries, online games are legal, which are gaining great popularity. Mexico is taking drastic measures in its legislation, which introduces the legalization of online gambling. As for investors, they are also starting to open new gambling clubs in this country. Meanwhile, Brazil is developing at a minimal pace in the gambling sector. The state has a high level of bureaucracy, which has the most negative impact on gambling clubs and casinos. Unfortunately, this situation poses a significant threat to the gambling industry. The development of casino centers is significantly slowed down, and investors are in no hurry to invest money in Brazilian clubs. However, such a large investor in the gambling business as the Austrian concern Novomatic still plans to start developing the Latin American gambling market. Online casinos in Argentina also welcome players from the region.

Best casino destinations in South America: Bolivia

Indeed, Bolivia is a real paradise for gamblers. The activities of casino centers and clubs in it are regulated by the National Lottery. Over the past year, the income from the gambling business in the country has almost doubled. There are about 80 legal casinos in the country with 10,000 slot machines. Moreover, even novice entrepreneurs are eager to buy slot machines here. The gambling business of Bolivia constantly receives good investments, and any company can easily obtain a permit for gambling activities. At the same time, the number of casino openings is not limited, unlike other Latin American countries. However, in Bolivia, only programmed machines are allowed. Roulette and some other games are not played here. One of the most famous casinos in Bolivia is Bingo Bahiti, which is visited by a large number of local and visiting players every day.

best casino destinations in South America
Image source: Flickr

Welcome to Peru

New large-scale casinos were opened not only in Bolivia but also in Mexico, as well as in Colombia and Chile. Moreover, the capital of Peru – Lima is a great place for gamblers. There is a large casino located in the Sheraton Lima & Casino hotel, which brings in a very high income every year. The establishment has a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere; special rooms for non-smoking players are there. In Peru, gambling clubs offer visitors a wide range of gambling games – blackjack, roulette, craps. One can buy slot machines  in the country at the best prices. Thus, they are always available to players. There are also casinos Majestic, La Hacienda, Tropicana in Peru. Unobtrusive calm music is constantly played in their halls, and the staff is especially polite to each client. Besides, casinos have a large number of gaming tables and machines like the 20BET Casino.

Best casino destinations in South America: Mexico

Until recently, the gambling industry in Mexico was not very progressive. In 2006, there were about 200 gambling clubs in the country. Until now, many Mexican casinos are not legal and operate without the necessary documentation. The reasons for this situation in the gambling sphere are the obstacles of the Catholic Church, as well as the policy of the state power. After the attack by a criminal group on Casino Royale in the city of Monterrey, the authorities generally closed all illegal gambling establishments. Learn more about Best Gambling Destinations for Summer Vacation.

Today the casinos of Mexico offer a wide range of gambling games. Any player can enjoy blackjack, roulette, baccarat. Indeed, Mexicans love excitement. Indeed, they always focus on horse races, various bets on bulls, and an instant lottery. Popular slot machines are also available to the public and tourists. Recently, a large gambling complex Playboy Club at The Palms Resort and Casino was opened in the Mexican city of Kanun. $ 7.5 million was spent on its construction. The center includes fitness clubs, restaurants, shops, and luxury casinos with roulette, slot machines, and blackjack. The area of ​​the casino is 1,200 square meters. Most of the gambling halls are in the style of the Chicago gambling establishments of the fifties of the last century. Thus, Latin America today is successfully mastering the gaming industry and striving for its further development.

What do we know about Colombia?

Current laws of Colombia, passed in 2016, have no restrictions on the procedure for obtaining registration for companies applying for a gambling license. Indeed, the main feature of Colombia is the open type of licensing. Therefore, this is one of the best casino destinations in South America. In the same 2016, almost all types of online gambling became legal, which was a good impetus for the expansion of gambling. The first online license appeared already in 2017. The income from the online sector is growing every year, but a significant portion of the profit comes from bingo and casinos. All in all, about 75 land-based casinos and halls with slot machines operate in the country this year. The regulatory body is Coljuegos. In total, according to the latest information, there are 17 online licenses in the country. At the same time, Coljuegos is actively fighting unlicensed online games. 

best casino destinations in South America
Bogota, Colombia – Image source: Flickr

Best casino destinations in South America: Argentina

More than 100 casinos operate in Argentina. Online gambling is also legal here. You should be aware that some differences are depending on which region the casino operates in. The gambling regulators introduced the changes in local markets. Besides, there is no opportunity to play in the capital, as it is illegal here. The largest not only on the continent but all over the world is the Trilenium Casino de Tigre, which features 1,800 slot machines and 60 tables. The Casino de Buenos Aires also operates here, located on a cruise ship in the port of Buenos Aires. Meanwhile, lovers of betting on horse racing will appreciate the ancient Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo.

Among other bets, soccer, golf, boxing, tennis, and volleyball are popular on online gambling sites in Argentina. Slot machines are also in demand here. The exemplary indicator is Codere’s revenue – several billion each year. Also, an added advantage is the ability of Argentines to play online on offshore sites that do not have an Argentinean license. The 20BET Casino is a great platform to have fun and make some money. 

Honduras, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Panama 

These countries are not overly dynamic. Thus, the laws on gambling in Honduras date back to 1977, and since then they have not changed much. Moreover, they do not include online gambling. Thus, Honduran players visit international online casinos without being responsible. In turn, gambling is legal in Paraguay as well. But here, too, online gambling is outside the legal field. However, with the latest news, this may soon change: new gambling laws affecting interactive gambling sites have appeared in Congress. Similar to Honduras, residents are not responsible for playing in offshore online casinos. 

The same applies to Uruguay, but it is unclear whether the rules for online gambling will ever be legal. At least at the moment, there are no such discussions. Unlike Peru that has distinguished itself with success in this regard, which today is the foremost jurisdiction for online gambling in Latin America. Here internet gambling is at regulation at the federal level. However, the government does not prohibit players from playing on offshore sites. 

The Republic of Panama regulates online casinos. The issuance of the corresponding licenses here began in 2003. However, many of them, according to experts, cannot be reliable, because residents prefer to play in offshore establishments, which is not illegal. If you don’t know where to go, read about the Best Alternative Cities For Gambling.

best casino destinations in South America
Panama City

Best casino destinations in South America: Hotel Punta del Este

Casino Hotel Punta del Este in Uruguay won the Best Casino Resort 2019 in South America nomination in the prestigious World Travel Awards for the travel industry. They have been awarding the prize since 1993. The announcement of its results and the awarding of the winners took place in July in La Paz, Bolivia. The casino resort was acquired by the Enjoy gambling operator from the Conrad group in 2013. Since that time, the company has invested more than US $ 50 million in its modernization and expansion. Another $ 23 million they spent from 2015 to 2018 on the organization of charter flights from Argentina and Brazil, which brought players from these countries to the casino.

Currently, the casino operates on an area of ​​4 thousand square meters. Nowadays, there are more than 500 slot machines and 75 gaming tables. Other contenders for victory in the nomination were Delfines Hotel & Convention Center (Peru), Iguazú Grand (Argentina), and Park Hyatt Mendoza Hotel, Casino & Spa (Argentina). The Best Casino Resort in South America has been going on since 2001. The record holder of the award is Delfines Hotel & Convention Center. The Peruvian casino resort won the award for four years in a row, from 2014 to 2017. Online casinos do not participate in such competition but 20BET would get in the TOP10. 

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