Following the shock of being ousted by the Superintendent of Casinos, Francisco Javier Leiva, from the bidding process for casino licences in Chile’s regions, Thunderbird Resorts applied to the courts for recourse against the decision. The Court of Appeals has now unanimously ruled three to zero in favour of the North American company, finding that the Gaming Commission’s resolutions were arbitrary and illegal. If the Commission (SCJ) does not appeal the ruling to Chile’s Supreme Court, or if it appeals but the ruling is upheld, then Thunderbird’s projects will once again be included in the bidding process.

Since the company was informed by the SCJ that it was ineligible for inclusion in the tender for licences, it decided to drop out of the contest in two regions where it had made application - Concepción and Temuco. The remaining four bids are for Algarrobo, Talca, and for Antofagasta and Rancagua where Thunderbird will have stiff competition from the Spanish company CIRSA which is bidding for seven licences in all. In the four regions where Thunderbird has made application, the bidding process has been halted until the matter has been resolved.

The casino resort projects Thunderbird has detailed for the four regions have an investment of around US$150 million. Peter Le Sar, GM of Thunderbird Chile, said, “Our projects offer real support for the development of the country, particularly for the regions. We are pleased that the litigation process was swift and favourable.” When the stalled bidding process in the four affected regions finally restarts, the winning applications could be named before the end of the year.

Thunderbird Resorts already has a successful presence as a recreational property developer and operator in Panamá, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatamala. Offering its customers dynamic, themed and integrated venues anchored by gaming facilities, the company considers its success is based on creating genuine value for the community, employees and shareholders. (E-04.06.06)

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