Casino complex planned for Eilat
Israel's southern tourist town set to get a Vegas-style strip of its own; 'It has amazing potential.'
What happens in Vegas, may be coming to Eilat, as a result of the first meeting of the inter-office committee last week to examine the possibility of establishing a casino in Israel's southern-most city.
The meeting was called by Tourism minister Yariv Levin at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed a plan that would see a Las Vegas-style strip with hotels and attractions placed alongside the casino.
"We are examining this very seriously," Levin said, "we think this can bring Eilat to a different place. It has amazing potential. The idea is to not only establish a casino, but a large entertainment complex that will launch Eilat upwards."
The preferred site for this new strip is Eilat's current airport, whose ground is set to be cleared when the new airport in Timna opens.
According to the plan, gamblers' ages will be restricted, as will the sums risked. The establishment of a special police unit is also planned to prevent the entry of criminal elements to the casino.
Plans are also underway to erect a large convention center, which will host gatherings as well as music concerts, in addition to a shopping center and new sports facilities. The stated goal is to bring in private investors to build the hotels, with the state taking responsibility for the complex's development and security.
The committee meeting was attended by representatives of all relevant government ministries and departments, including the Ministries pg Transportation, Justice, Treasury, Public Security, and Welfare, and well as the Tax Authority and Land Authority, and it was agreed that each would examine the plans further.
One of the issues examined will be the restriction of Israeli citizens' entry to the complex. It seems that entry in general will be restricted to those over the age of 21. Gambling sums are also set to be limited, so as to reduce the chance of Israelis losing all of their money in the casino. One option being looked at is the possibility of equipping Israelis with a pre-charged card, which will ensure they cannot gamble beyond a certain sum.
The Tourism Ministry's intent is to finish deliberations on the new complex within around two months, and bring the Prime Minister a detailed plan. Afterwards, a governmental bill will be drafted, ironing out the legal issues.
During the committee's meeting, Minister Levin lined up three central aspects that will be examined: The financial aspect (the cost of the project), the legal aspect (assuring that the casino won't allow money laundering, and that its operations won't be accompanied by criminal activity in general), and the tourist aspect (ensuring that the casino attracts tourist from abroad).
