Montevideo's Parque Hotel Casino to Close Friday, Transfer to Economy Ministry Amid Losses

Montevideo's sole municipal casino, the Parque Hotel, is set to close its doors this Friday, marking a transition to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). The decision comes after years of financial struggles, with the casino incurring a significant loss of 83 million pesos in 2024 alone.

The facility, currently under the purview of the Intendencia de Montevideo (IMM), will cease operations as a municipal entity. This move aligns with a proposal made during the 2025 departmental elections by then-candidate for mayor, Mario Bergara, who suggested the casino be administered by the General Directorate of Casinos under the MEF.

Regarding the fate of the casino's staff, an agreement has been reached with employees close to retirement. For others, the IMM's Economic Development division is reviewing their profiles to facilitate relocation to other municipal departments. However, union representatives from the Association of Municipal Employees and Workers of Montevideo (Adeom) expressed concerns, noting that casino employees' specific career paths may make them difficult to place within the IMM.

This closure also brings to light past controversies, including the payment of over 500 hours of overtime to casino staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, even when the facility was closed or operating at reduced capacity. In 2020 and 2021, substantial amounts were paid out for these overtime hours, raising questions about financial management.