Uruguay reactivates the tender for the Hotel Casino Carmelo
The Ministry of Tourism of Uruguay has confirmed that the call for bids for the Hotel Casino Carmelo will finally take place this year, after a period of uncertainty and strategy changes. Minister Pablo Menoni announced that the approval of the tender documents is scheduled for March, with a renewed approach aimed at creating attractive conditions for private capital.
A building in search of a purpose
After discarding options such as a bus terminal or an educational hub (proposed by the opposition and university sectors), the Government has decided to once again bet on the hotel-casino model. The urgency is clear: the property faces critical deterioration and risk of vandalism, which requires a capital injection that the public sector cannot afford.
The decisive factor: iGaming regulation
The failure of the previous tender, under the former administration, left a lesson learned: without online gaming, there is no business. International investors have consistently pointed out that the lack of a clear regulatory framework for digital gaming in Uruguay undermines the viability of large-scale physical projects.
Cristian Pos, National Director of Tourism, has led conversations with local and departmental stakeholders to ensure this new phase is "realistic." The goal is to determine the hotel's final purpose before the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Tags: Uruguay, online betting Uruguay, casinos Uruguay, Carmelo Uruguay casino