A USD 10 million deficit was suffered by Montevideo Casinos within the conduct in government of Mayor Ricardo Ehrlich, according to statements by the opposition. The local council rejected these numbers and announces a restructure in games of chance. According to legislator Álvaro Viviano, casino losses are comprised by two aspects: cumulative deficit from 2005 up to date and expenses from Ehrlich administration in order to facilitate the retirement of 120 casino workers.

Montevideo Mayor, Ricardo Ehrlich, announced the sale of the tender papers for Hotel Casino Carrasco. The aim is to transform Carrasco into a high level tourist attraction, and the construction is about to start in 2009. "After a long procedure, the tender process for Carrasco Hotel Casino has finally opened", pointed Mayor Ehrlich, who announced the tender for Carrasco building. The documents are on sale in the Purchase section of the Montevideo Council (IMM) at a cost of USD 10,000.

Five groups bought the papers with the conditions for the tender of Hotel Casino Carrasco. Montevideo council (IMM) set the opening of the call to acquire the documents, which will close next May 8th. Among the groups that showed interest, are Hyatt chain, Pestana group and Tsakos. Director of Urban Conversion of the council, Hyara Rodríguez, affirmed that there might be more groups interested in the tender.

Montevideo Council put to sale the documents for the tender process of Hotel Casino Carrasco for a 30-year period. Authorities aim to turn this place in a high-level touristic center, which competes with Hotel Conrad in Punta del Este. The director de Economic Development of Montevideo, Luis Polakof, remarked that, in the tender process, “the most valuable thing, besides taxes, is the architectural work.

Last week, Montevideo council started receiving offers from private businessmen interested in the tender of Hotel Casino Carrasco, according to the Director of Supplying of the Council, Néstor Fernández. Last Wednesday 26th, the government passed the law which authorizes the council to put to tender the operation of Casino Carrasco to casino or hotel companies.

Last Friday, Montevideo Local Council approved the privatization of Carrasco Hotel Casino. Its employees assisted to the session and opposed to the measure. When asked about the support of Anibal Glodosky, a representative of the opposite party, Fabían Villamarín, representative of the official party, pointed that he is a “moral guarantee” for Montevideo citizens, and added that the official party voted modifications performed by the two big political parties.

Project “Altos del Aguila” comprises the construction of a development with a golf course, a five-star casino hotel, a convention center, a shopping center, a cinema complex, a marina and the real state development of the zone. Minister Víctor Rossi and Mayor of Canelones, Marcos Carambula, headed the act that was held in the ninth floor of MTOP.