GMB – Tell us about the relaunch that the company is working on…
Gustavo Barcha - Casino Iguazú will turn 25 in 2019 and to celebrate this important date we are making a great investment and a major renovation (started in 2018) in the Casino and Hotel to continue to be the main and the best option for entertainment of casino games and slots in Latin America.
What news will Casino Iguazu surprise with?
We are doing a complete makeover at our Casino, in the table room and in the slots room, and we will also have a new bar in the center of the Casino, with restaurant and concert space inspired by the best bars in Las Vegas and other casinos in the world. We started in 2018 the renovation of all slot machines and we are implementing the latest technology in Casino and Gaming. We will revolutionize the market.
Do you have details of the great party that is coming up for this renewal?
The party is still being kept in total secrecy, but I can say that it will be great, just as it was these 25 years of Casino Iguazú. We will have a great show, a great party, a great tournament. The only thing I can anticipate is.. get ready!
What investments did the Group make for this relaunch?
As I mentioned, we are making a major investment in the structural part of the Casino, a remodeling of the decoration and the project, a total renovation of slot machines, new technologies in electronic games (the newest ones launched is last Las Vegas tradeshow) , a new system to offer greater benefits and promotions to our clients, a new gastronomic offer with a new internationally recognized Chef, spa / gym reform, hotel and apartment renovation.
Besides the casino, the hotel has also been renovated, is that correct?
Yes, we are doing something together to surprise our customers in every way, whether in the Casino, in the Hotel, in our restaurants, in our SPA ... .we want to offer the best service and the best sensation for the clients that visit us 25 years ago and also for new clients who will be impressed with our property.
Casino Iguazu always surprises with high level shows ... Is there anything foreseen for this year?
We are preparing for the re-launch of the Casino Iguazú 25 years an important program of shows with Brazilian, Argentine and international artists.
What's new in relation to major poker tournaments in Iguazu?
Even with all of these reforms, our Poker Tournament schedule continues normally, with a very attractive grid for Brazilian, Argentinian, Paraguayan and all Latin American poker players. We will have Poker tournament in April in May, in June and the already famous SUPER HIGH ROLLER, with a guaranteed prize of US$ 500,000, being US$ 200,000 for the champion ... we have a large number of players for this date from all corners of the world ... I am sure it will be a great success again !!!
How is working the advantage recently implemented on the use of reais for Brazilian players?
The Brazilian public had been asking us for gaming offer in reais for a long time and after much analysis and studies of how to make the implementation the best way we could offer games in tables and slots in reais. It is being a great success and Brazilians are very happy to play with their currency.
Has the number of Brazilian bettors grown in this last period?
Brazil has had a very difficult time in its economy in the last four years, but the HCI group has been able to maintain and increase the volume of people visiting its properties and players in its venues and after the relaunch of Casino Iguazú (which is our main property) we are sure that this number will increase even more. Overall, the number of players is bigger than what anyone in the casinos industry believes; we have in Brazil a lot of illegal games and games controlled by the State, and after a liberation and legalization of games of chance sector we will have a BIG surprise in the Brazilian market. I believe we will be one of the three largest gambling markets in the world.
Do you believe that Brazil is closer than ever to legalizing casinos?
From what I am following, and I am following closely, I believe we are in an important moment and with a great force for the legalization of the casinos. Brazil is going through a very large unemployment and economic problem and the gambling industry as a whole can be and will be an important engine to help get out of these problems. We need the political sector to stop thinking about itself and start thinking about Brazil as a whole, start thinking about the Brazilian population and a better future for Brazil. Gambling is allowed in almost every country in the world; why does Brazil have to be different?
Source: Exclusive GMB
