Casinos in Uruguay

Introduction

Uruguay is a small South American country with a history of occupation, colonialization, and the struggle for freedom. Hunter-gatherers are first recorded in the period about 13,000 years ago and Montevideo, the nation’s capital was established in the early 18th century by Spain. Uruguay gained independence between 1811 and 1828, after a complicated struggle that included Spain and Portugal, and later Argentina and Brazil.

Uruguayan society is highly regarded by some for its secularism, progressive social laws, and advanced social systems which are focused on education, social security, and healthcare. It’s one of only a few Latin American and Caribbean countries where clean water is available to everybody.

It is a popular tourist destination with beach resorts and historically important inland attractions. Uruguay offers natural beauty in addition to gaming opportunities. The country has 18 licensed casinos, most of them on or near the coast, and the others are spread along its borders with Argentina and Brazil.

History of Gambling

Gambling was first institutionalized with a lottery in 1819, organized in 1856 with the National Directorate of Lotteries and Pools (DNLQ), and the lottery was finally regulated by law in 1882. Various amendments, additions, and changes occurred throughout the years until in January 2018, Uruguay introduced a new tax on slots and other gaming machines. The tax does not apply to casino or sportsbet winnings but horse race bet winnings over about US$ 370 are taxed.

In August 2022, the Senate approved an Online Gambling Bill to establish a regulatory framework for online gambling. The legislation includes licensing requirements and player protections, and it directs funds toward responsible gambling initiatives. The recommended measures weren’t signed into law at the time but a push was on in 2024 to finish the process.

Legislation and Jurisdiction

Uruguay is committed to responsible gambling. In the capital, Montevideo, policymakers signed a long-term agreement with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of the Republic to enhance responsible gambling strategies. 

The initiative builds on the 2009 Program for the Prevention and Treatment of Pathological Gambling. The national Directorate of State Casinos has also collaborated with the faculty to strengthen efforts against gambling harm. These measures are part of Uruguay's foray into the universal balancing act facing governments everywhere attempting to create and maintain a safe and regulated gambling environment for their citizens while still collecting the revenues generated by tourist-area casinos to improve the lives of citizens.

Popular Games and Casinos

Uruguay's casinos are spread across several regions, including in Montevideo and on the coast at nearby Punta del Este. All of them are restricted to popular tourist destinations. The casinos offer everything from slots and table games like blackjack, roulette, and Punto Banco, to various poker variants. The largest city, Montevideo, features several casinos that attract tourists and a few locals.

Top Casinos

1. Enjoy Punta del Este, Punta del Este
   Formerly known as Conrad Resort & Casino before Enjoy completed its acquisition of the property in 2017, this casino resort is located in a seaside resort town. Enjoy Punta del Este is one of Uruguay's best casino properties. The casino offers over 500 slot machines and several table games. The casino's design and beachfront location make it a great choice.
2. Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa, Montevideo
   Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa combines high-end accommodations and amenities with a chance to gamble. This establishment features about 400 slot machines and two dozen various table games. Located just a stone's throw away from the shoreline and a brief 5-minute drive from Montevideo Airport, the property has 116 well-appointed guest rooms, 22 of which are suites. The hotel provides guests with free Wi-Fi, a pool, spa, concierge, and housekeeping services, meeting and event spaces, a fine dining restaurant, and two cafes/bars.
3. Rivera Casino Resort, Rivera
   This casino is on Boulevard 33 Orientales in Rivera near the Brazilian border. It features a 4-star hotel with 66 rooms. The property has two gaming rooms with state-of-the-art slot machines and felt tables. Guests are offered a restaurant with an international menu, a gym with wide city views, a spa, an outdoor pool with a solarium, a heated pool, and a sauna. There is also an event hall and three business rooms.

Horse Racing

Pari-mutuel betting, including horse and dog racing, is available in Uruguay on a lot smaller scale than casino gambling. Not all of the tracks you might find are legal so it’s a good idea to make sure you are betting at an authorized venue. You can’t go wrong by visiting the Maroñas National Racecourse in Montevideo. Opened in the 1800s, the Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas is located in the Ituzaingó neighborhood. The main dirt track is 2,065 meters long and a separate 2,000-meter track is used only for training. The facility can seat 2,426 spectators and has space for around 5,500 standing.

Lotteries

The country runs government-operated lotteries through the National Lotteries and Quinielas (DNLQ) of Uruguay, with proceeds going into the general fund. Lotteries include traditional draw games, SuperMatch - a lottery version of sports betting, scratch tickets, and instant lotteries. There are over 3,500 lottery workers in the country. In late 2022 the workers banded together and decided to stop selling lottery tickets briefly to call attention to their desire to see a full-throated discussion of online gambling legislation. The workers were not necessarily opposed to online casino gambling but insisted it should be well-regulated. While the lottery in Uruguay is not as large or far-reaching as it is in larger countries, the sector is extremely important to Uruguayan gambling overall and is the oldest form of legalized and regulated gambling in the country.

Conclusion

Uruguay's gambling industry is relatively small when compared to some other countries in the region but it is also the second smallest country by land mass so that is to be expected. Unlike some countries such as Ecuador that have banned gambling altogether, Uruguay is joining the growing ranks of LATAM countries that choose to regulate and tax online gambling. Peru, Argentina, and others have followed Colombia and Uruguay is on track to be among the first half a dozen locations with robust online gambling regulations.

Although small, the industry offers a good range of gambling options for tourists and locals alike. The casinos offer a mix of modern and traditional gaming and entertainment all against a backdrop of ancient cities and highly desired beach resorts. Indeed, even though locals are allowed to play, all of the casinos exist in tourist areas for a reason.