One thing is the market economy but another is its suffocation.

Late last year Gran Canaria approved the controversial decree authorizing the installation of five new casinos for the province of Las Palmas. The measure was opposed not only by operators but also by casino employees who organized rallies in protest against the possible proliferation of casinos that could affect the stability of their jobs. The president of the Gran Canaria government, José Manuel Soria, is reported to have asked rhetorically why there should be protests against increasing the numbers of casinos when there would be no similar protest against increasing the number of pharmacies.

Those who understand the tourist movement in the Canaries know that the island of Tenerife, the largest and with the capital city, only has two casinos. At peak season these two casinos, with around thirty tables and 500 slot machines between them, are never overflowing with customers. Two years ago hoteliers looking to place a casino in Golf del Sur, a major tourist centre in Tenerife, completed a study that showed mixed results with indifferent economic possibilities.

It is improbable that socio-economic conditions in Tenerife or Gran Canaria have changed much since then and, taking into account the fact that tourist movement is greater in the former, it seems strange that there is a decree for five more casinos in Las Palmas.

One new casino has just received the go-ahead in the south of the island at the hotel complex Gran Hotel Costa Meloneras. Of course we wish the best for the owner, Eustasio López, and his new casino. However, it is the responsibility of the government of Gran Canaria to revise their ‘5 casino’ decree to avoid gaming indigestion – there can be too much of a good thing. Although we have never known an industry to die from too much play it would be sad to see the gaming industry dying from asphyxiation on the charming island of Gran Canaria.

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