Necochea to Seek Damages Over Suspension of Casino Complex Auction
Argentina.- 23 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The Municipality of Necochea, in Argentina’s Buenos Aires Province, has confirmed that it is preparing a damages lawsuit against those responsible for the legal action that led to the suspension of the first public auction of the city’s Casino Complex.
The auction, originally scheduled for February 2026, was postponed following a court injunction issued shortly before the event.
The municipal government is seeking to recover the additional expenses it says resulted from the interruption.
Municipality Finalises Legal Preparations
Paula Faramiñan, Necochea’s Secretary for Legal and Technical Affairs, confirmed that the administrative file documenting the alleged financial losses is nearing completion.
Once the documentation is finalised, the municipality intends to submit its claim to the same court that issued the original injunction.
The lawsuit will seek compensation for additional operational, administrative and logistical expenses associated with the postponement.
The municipality has not yet publicly disclosed the amount it intends to claim.
Court Injunction Halted the Initial Auction
The dispute began when legal proceedings initiated by opposition groups questioning aspects of the auction secured an injunction suspending the process.
The measure was issued just hours before the scheduled auction, despite interest from a prospective bidding group.
The municipal administration subsequently challenged the ruling and succeeded in having the process cleared to proceed on appeal.
The auction eventually took place several months later, although local authorities maintain that the delay generated additional costs.
Municipal Government’s Position
Representatives of Mayor Arturo Rojas’s administration criticised the legal intervention, describing it as politically motivated.
According to the municipal government, the suspension delayed a project considered essential to recovering one of Necochea’s most recognisable landmarks.
However, legal responsibility for the damages being claimed remains a matter for the courts to determine.
Seeking a court injunction is a lawful procedure, and the municipality’s compensation claim will therefore need to establish the alleged losses and the relevant legal grounds.
Revitalising a Historic Casino Complex
The Necochea Casino Complex is an important historical, tourism and commercial landmark.
Over recent decades, the property has experienced substantial deterioration, including prolonged neglect, fires and unsuccessful attempts to secure its redevelopment.
The municipal administration believes restoring the complex could help:
- Revitalise tourism and urban infrastructure.
- Encourage new private investment.
- Create employment opportunities.
- Restore a landmark property.
- Establish conditions for the resumption of casino activity.
The initiative forms part of a wider strategy to restore local infrastructure and promote economic development.
Slot Machine Tender Remains a Key Next Step
The resolution of the auction process also has implications for the gambling industry.
Municipal authorities believe restoring the property could pave the way for a subsequent provincial tender covering slot machine operations.
That process would depend on the relevant Buenos Aires Province authorities and applicable regulatory requirements.
The potential return of casino operations could strengthen the property’s commercial viability and contribute to Necochea’s tourism offering.
Next Steps and Industry Impact
The municipality expects to complete its administrative documentation and proceed with the planned legal claim.
The proceedings will seek to establish whether compensation is warranted for expenses associated with the suspension of the initial auction.
Meanwhile, the future of the Casino Complex remains closely connected to redevelopment plans and the possibility of restoring gambling operations.
For the industry, the case highlights the importance of legal certainty, transparent procedures and coordination between municipal and provincial authorities in casino and tourism investment projects.
Editó: @fonta
