Casino Parque Hotel Uruguay management sparks Montevideo controversy
After declaring two public processes for the renewal of slots and software vacant, the Municipality extended the contract with the company ICM S.A. for more than USD 260,000. The opposition questions that the municipal budget projects casino expenses until 2028 despite the announced transfer to the Ministry of Economy.
The administration of the historic Casino Parque Hotel in Montevideo faces a new chapter of political and operational challenges. The Municipality of Montevideo (IMM) decided to extend the contracts with the company ICM S.A., the technological operator of the establishment for more than two decades, after two key public tenders were declared void due to lack of bidders.
The inability to attract new suppliers, even after modifying the tender specifications, forced the municipality to resort to direct contracting to guarantee the operation of the gaming room. According to local reports, the total amount of the operations is around UY$ 10 million (USD 264,300), intended for the leasing of slot machines and management software.
Extensions due to lack of market
The administrative resolution authorized a specific disbursement of more than UY$ 6.5 million (USD 171,800) for the rental of slots in favor of ICM S.A. starting January 1, 2026. From the Casino Management, the measure was justified by pointing out the imperative need to maintain "a varied park of slot machines as part of the commercial strategy," vital for generating income while the future of the gaming room is resolved.
The contradiction: Transfer in 2026 or budget until 2028?
The main point of friction between the ruling party and the opposition lies in long-term planning. Camilo Benítez, Director of Economic Development of the Municipality, assured the media outlet La Diaria that the goal remains to transfer the management of the casino to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) by "mid-2026."
However, the five-year budget project presented by the Municipality to the Departmental Board includes allocations assigned for the operation of the casino until 2028 and salary provisions for its staff until 2030.
This discrepancy has been used by the opposition to criticize the multimillion losses accumulated by the establishment and to point out that the lack of competitive processes perpetuates a management model that the city seeks — in theory — to abandon. Benítez clarified that, although the political decision to cede operation has been made, final negotiations with the MEF will resume during the first months of this year.
Tags: Uruguay, casinos Uruguay, Montevideo casinos, Casino Parque Hotel