SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Israeli news sources have reported that the city of Eilat bordering the Red Sea, has been chosen as the preferred site for the country’s first licensed casino.
Israel’s Ministry of Tourism is said to have conducted a review authorised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Israeli casino project has been attached to long time Netanyahu backer Sheldon Adelson Chairman of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation and America’s eighth richest man.
Israel’s casino proposal has been a delicate subject matter, which has been resisted by numerous political groups and the country’s security authorities.
Past project has been met with Political concerns regarding the casino attracting organised crime syndicates and the impact on the regions security.
At present Israel allows two regulated gambling activities, sports betting and lotteries. Land based casino gambling is prohibited, however numerous businesses have bypassed the laws by offering casino games on cruise ships.
Yariv Levin Minister of Tourism confirmed to Israeli media that a review was being undertaken
“I am coordinating a detailed inquiry into this matter and when it is concluded, I will present the conclusions to the prime minister and based on that, we will make decisions.”
