Court Blocks Public Auction of Historic Necochea Casino

Argentina.– February 10, 2026 – www.zonadeazar.com  A judicial injunction in Necochea, Argentina has halted the public auction of the Necochea Casino Complex, a process promoted by the local government, after a court found irregularities in the auction’s procedural groundwork.

What the Court Decided

The Administrative Court in Necochea, led by Judge Carlos Herrera, granted a protective injunction that suspends the planned auction of the Necochea Casino, originally scheduled for February 11, 2026.

The ruling noted the absence of key documentation, including environmental impact assessments and required citizen participation steps, before advancing the municipal ordinance that authorized the auction.

Legal Grounds and Local Debate

The injunction was filed by engineer and environmental activist Susana Laborde, who argued the municipal process did not meet mandatory legal prerequisites.

The suspension also affects the Municipal Ordinance N° 12.009/2025 and its implementing decree until a final judicial decision is made.

Local Government Reaction

Mayor Arturo Rojas, who backed the auction, defended it as an effort to revitalise a landmark building, create jobs, attract tourism and bring development to Necochea. He stated the injunction halts “an opportunity for the city,” and confirmed the municipality will pursue legal avenues to contest the decision.

Supporters of the injunction frame it as a demand for greater transparency, legal compliance and public participation in major urban planning decisions.

What Comes Next

With the injunction now served, the auction remains suspended until the cited procedural issues are addressed and public access to key information is ensured, prolonging uncertainty about the complex’s future.

🔗 Edited by: @_fonta www.zonadeazar.com