A casino in Israel may become a reality

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is discussing the proposal with Minister Yariv Levin and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz.

Israel.- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering the possibility of allowing the creation of a casino in Eilat. The proposal has been under discussion since September, but new changes in the terms apparently will allow only non-Israeli citizens to gamble at the casino. Since many Israelis have multiple nationalities, it is unclear how the policy would be carried out.

During his campaign, Netanyahu promised to consider the benefits of legalising a casino in Israel. If the proposal becomes a reality, the casino will be located in Eilat, on the site of the city’s airport which will be relocated “connecting Eilat to the Israeli economy.”

Casino gambling is illegal in Israel, but some citizens take cruises from Eilat on casino boats, outside Israeli territorial waters to gamble and as a result, operators have been accused of illegal gambling, money laundering and tax evasion. In the 90s casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson tried in vain to open a casino in Israel, as the project was blocked by various tourism ministers throughout the years. In 1998, a casino started operating at Jericho, in Palestinian Authority-controlled territory but it closed in 2004 due to the Second Intifada.