Gema Amor, Jesus Alamo with trowel and Mayor

A casino in Benidorm is one step closer to reality as the first symbolic stone was laid yesterday. Jesus Alamo, President of the developer Convalesa, which owns Casino Mediterraneo performed the honour. The casino will be located on the Avd Mediterraneo, at the Rincon de Loix end - between the beach and Ocas hotel (next to the Sol Pelicanos). The project also includes the construction of a brand new 4 star hotel and shopping centre - but this will be completed at a future date. Initially the hotel was going to be a 5 star when plans were submitted but it looks like that has now been revised down.

Site of the new casino

The casino will be part of the "Casino Mediterraneo" group - who already have casinos in Alicante and at La Zenia Boulevard on the Orihuela Costa (near Torrevieja). There use to be one in Villa Joyosa, near to the hospital but that closed down several years ago - surprisingly as it always appeared full. I visited on several occasions and was amazed at how many Chinese customers there were - they are certainly heavy gamblers and so the opening of a brand new casino here in Benidorm will surely delight them. The 1.8 million euro project will see a construction of 3,600 square meters across 4 floors, with the main gambling area situated on the ground floor and the facade will be the same as the other casinos in the chain. The first floor will be used as a venue for Poker tournaments, bringing a new influx of tourism to the town.

Job wise it is great news for the area - initially with the construction and then with staffing of the casino. Gambling laws are very strict here in Spain so it is a real victory that permission has been granted for its construction. Completion is due in July 2014 - which if it happens will be a miracle, but lets hope so... call me a cynic but the mañana attitude is prolific here and applied to everything and anything.