Andorra opens its first casino
UNNIC hosts the first casino in the country: Gran Casino Andorra
After a long administrative and judicial process, Andorra’s first casino opened, aiming to expand the principality’s tourism offer and attract new visitor profiles in addition to those who go skiing and shopping. Until now, casinos were banned, and after years of political and social discussions, it was decided to change the law that regulated them.
“It is the first and only license of this kind that has been granted,” as stated by César Marquina, the finance minister and spokesman for the current government. Unlike the bingo already operating in the Principality, the casino incorporates roulette, poker and blackjack tables.
The casino is integrated into the new 7,000 square meter Unnic leisure center and is intended to be “another element in the business fabric of Andorra, and to cover an aspect where there have been shortcomings”, says Ivan Armengod, managing director of Jocs SA.
It is in a four-storey building in the middle of Andorra la Vella which, in addition to the casino, includes performance halls and restaurants.
The casino will be open from Sunday to Thursday until three in the morning, and on Friday and Saturday until half past two.
The casino has 3 distinct areas: the slots area, which has the latest novelties, the area dedicated to the live tables where you can find the classic casino games, American Roulette, Electronic Roulette, Blackjack, Bonus Texas Hold’em Poker, Caribbean Poker, Mini Point, Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker and sports betting area.
On the 3rd floor, there is the VIP Zone of the casino, an exclusive space where customers will find excitement and elegance in the same atmosphere.
The center, with an area of 7,000 square meters and 155 playing positions, received an investment of more than 25 million euros.
The possibility for the Andorran population to acquire part of the company’s shares, up to 10%, will soon materialize.
In total, there are 200 new jobs and an estimated 500 more are indirectly generated.
Those responsible expect to receive around 190,000 visitors in the first year of operation, taking into account that the Principality has around 80,000 inhabitants and receives around 8.6 million tourists every year.
To get here, the country had to roll out an extensive legislative package with specific laws, gambling control bodies and controversial public awards, which extended the process by almost a decade.
To begin with, everyone who enters the arcade will be registered, which “will allow us to know the percentage of the Andorran or resident population” that goes there, as Jocs SA CEO Ivan Armengod said. Identification will not be required in the theaters and restaurant.
