Tourism Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch has long been in favour of legal casinos for Israel. As a former law enforcement official he is convinced that gambling related criminal activity would decrease with fewer illegal casinos. A major goal for the Ministry in 2008 is to see the first Israeli casino open in Eilat with others following around the country.

The Israel Land Administration is reported to have allocated a 12-acre site on Eilat’s northern shore for the development of a casino complex. The agreement closed with the Tourism Ministry includes the construction of a conference centre, commercial outlets and hotels.

According to the Minister, a legal casino would give Eilat a huge economic boost and promote tourism. At present visitors flock to the nearby cities of Sharm el-Sheik, Taba and Aqaba, all of which offer casinos. The illegal industry in Israel makes an estimated US$3.6 billion a year. Minister Aharonovitch puts illegal gambling venues in Israel in the hundreds. (E-01.09.08)

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