A couple of weeks ago ex-Mayor of Tijuana Hank Rhon reopened the old racetrack of Agua Caliente, which closed in the 80s following a prolonged strike by workers, as the latest and largest of his company’s casinos. Grupo Caliente, the leading gaming company in Mexico and owned by Rhon, has renovated the racetrack buildings and installed over 1300 slot machines, a 572-seat bingo and 432 sports betting terminals at an estimated cost of US$25 million.

At the gala opening, which included the famous Cirque Du Soleil, Rhon said that the growth of Grupo Caliente was based on geographical expansion, not only in Mexico but in some 15 other countries throughout Latin America and Europe. He added that 2008 would be an important year for his company, ‘another step towards the future, seeking the excellence and quality in our service to maintain our position as number one in gaming.’

Grupo Caliente, described as 100% Mexican, has recreated Tijuana’s Hipódromo Agua Caliente as an important tourist attraction for the area. With restaurant, piano bar and gaming, the new casino provides jobs for 700 people. Rhon has stated his intention to make Caliente one of the leading companies in the global gaming industry. (E-04.17.08)

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