Hebrew daily “Yediot Ahronot” reports that a casino will be opened in Eilat within 18 months, at the recommendation of Prime Minister's Office director-general Avigdor Yitzhaki. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is expected to support the plan and the Ministry of Finance also supports establishing a legal casino in Eilat.
Pressure has been increasing lately to establish a legal casino in Israel, in view of the popularity of illegal gambling and the flood of Israelis to casinos around the world, including at Taba, in Sinai, outside Eilat.
Tax authorities believe there are scores of illegal casinos in Israel, especially in the Dan region, costing hundreds of millions of shekels a year in lost tax revenues.
Another reason for establishing a casino in Eilat is to encourage domestic tourism in the city. There is concern that the tourism crisis, caused by the security situation, is liable to cause Eilat to lose a major share of the domestic tourism market, unless a casino is established in the city. Senior officials in the Prime Minister's Office believe that the establishment of a legal casino under state supervision will encourage Israelis to take holidays in Eilat.
It is still unclear who would operate the casino, if the cabinet approves it. Possibilities include Mifal Hapayis - Israel National Lottery, the Toto sports lottery, foreign or Israeli investors.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on March 8, 2004