The role of casinos in tourism (Argentina)

Brief conclusion

Argentina returned to the pre-pandemic level of inbound tourism: 7.4 million visitors in 2023 and $4.5 billion in tourist revenues, with an expected increase in flow to 8.3 million by 2026. Against this background, casino clusters work as "anchors" of destinations: they complement beaches, wine tourism and natural parks, forming a package of "nightlife + gastronomy + entertainment."

The main tourist "scenes" with casinos

Buenos Aires: Event capital, hippodrome and cruises

Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo is an iconic venue with a racetrack, multi-level casino slots, restaurants and a calendar of approximately 120 racedays per year; in tourist guides, the object is positioned as a complex leisure "race + casino + gastro." This is a "night magnet" for city tours and weekend guests.

Cruise segment: the port of Buenos Aires regularly receives liners (seasonal calls), and land tours "for cruise passengers" are a separate offer from excursion operators and aggregators. The city monetizes short-term visits (tango shows, city tours + evening entertainment, including casinos).

Mar del Plata: Casino Central beach resort and architectural icon

Casino Central (1939) - one of the largest in the country and the historical "anchor" of the resort. The peak load in January reaches tens of thousands of visitors a day, and the complex itself with the neighboring NH Gran Hotel Provincial forms the "postcard" of the city and the flow in the low evening hours (after the beach).

NH Gran Hotel Provincial - a five-star front hotel near Casino Central; historical ensemble, in demand as a MICE venue. Combo "beach + casino + congresses" increases loading in shoulder seasons.

Mendoza: Wine luxury and casino-hotels

Park Hyatt Mendoza Hotel, Casino & Spa - showcase of the wine region in the city center: spa, fine dining restaurants, tables and hundreds of slots; the product "winery in the afternoon - casino in the evening" expands the average check and overnight stays.

Iguazu: World-class nature + casino resort

Iguazú Grand Resort Spa & Casino is a resort minutes from the waterfalls (New Nature Wonder by New7Wonders). Here, the casino is integrated into family and romantic vacations (shows, spas, pools), which adds an "evening" component to natural tourism.

Patagonia/Bariloche: year-round flow + evening activities

Casino de Bariloche closes the demand for evening entertainment in the city, where tourism is a key industry all year round (skiing in winter, trekking and lakes in summer).

How casinos are amplifying the tourist sinkhole

1. Lengthening of the stay and growth of the average check. Combinations "beach/nature/wineries day - casino at night" (Mar del Plata, Iguazu, Mendoza) increase employment in the evening and stimulate additional spending on gastronomy and events.

2. Seasonal smoothing. Historic complexes (Casino Central + NH Provincial) and city arenas (Palermo) pull up shoulder seasons due to MICE/contests/shows and thematic weekends.

3. Cruise monetization. One-day passengers of liners buy city tours and evening packages (tango + casinos), converting short parking into revenue for the leisure industry.

4. Image and architectural heritage. The cultural capital of Bustillo ensembles in Mar del Plata is itself the reason for the visit (photo routes, excursions), which adds "non-game" reasons for tourists.

Impact on employment and local economy

Casino clusters "scatter" the effect on hotels, restaurants, event industry, transport and retail. The capital Palermo combines races + casinos + restaurants, and in resort cities a bunch of hotel-casinos (NH Provincial, Park Hyatt Mendoza, Iguazú Grand) leads to demand for MICE, SPA segment and family formats. At the country level, steady growth in tourist flow and income creates the basis for employment in service and entertainment.

Marketing Practices for Destinations (which works in 2025)

Bundle packages "day excursion - casino evening." For cruise calls and weekend tourism in the capital.

Event weekends in Mar del Plata (beach season + historical Bustillo ensemble tours + evening tournaments/shows at Casino Central).

Wine- & -Gaming in Mendoza: Tastings & Wineries + Spa/Casino off Park Hyatt.

Nature- & -Resort to Iguazú: daytime routes to waterfalls + evening shows/casinos to Iguazú Grand.

Year-round Patagonia: ski/trekking + evening casino in Bariloche as a "warm" alternative after an active day.

Risks and responsible policies

Balance "entertainment ↔ culture/nature." For Iguazu and Patagonia, it is critical not to replace the natural agenda - the casino remains an addition, and not the center of the USP destination. (Current publications on recreational load in the Iguazu Zone emphasize the importance of sustainable practices.)

Responsible play and age control. Cities and provinces have their own regulators; operators are required to comply with CCM/age 18 +. For tourists, this guarantees the transparency and security of the service.

Casinos in Argentina are a tourist product enhancer, not a mono-attraction in its own right. In Buenos Aires, they get into the logistics of cruises and event weekends; in Mar del Plata - complement the beach and architectural heritage; in Mendoza - wine luxury; in Iguazu and Bariloche - close evening demand after nature and activities. Against the background of an increase in inbound flow (7.4 million in 2023, forecast 8.3 million by 2026), this combination of "hotel/gastro/events/casino" helps cities to increase the average check and smooth out seasonality.

Relevance: sources checked on October 12, 2025 (Europe/Kyiv).