The crisis at the Esquel casino reached a new threshold this week after termination telegrams were delivered to virtually all 50 employees of the facility operated by Trewelyn.
The company is offering half the severance pay required by Argentinian labor law, arguing that the provincial gaming authority revoked its operating license. The provincial authority, Lotería del Chubut, has flatly denied that claim, stating the permit remains valid and has significant time remaining.
Esquel Mayor Matías Taccetta, said he contacted casino manager Martín Chulia over the weekend to provide reassurance and confirmed that Governor Ignacio Torres will travel to the city midweek to meet directly with affected workers.
Torres is expected to hold talks with Lotería del Chubut and the Regional Delegation of the Labor Secretariat alongside legal counsel from the province, with the stated aim of finding a way to preserve the 50 jobs at stake. Taccetta added that if the company ultimately decides to exit Esquel, the fallback plan would be to open a new public tender so another operator could take over the venue.
On the political front, Deputy Goic, Provincial Deputy, said the situation involves "exclusive provincial authority through the Institute of Social Assistance (IAS)," arguing the state is obligated to ensure concessionaires meet their labor and regulatory commitments.
Her request also scrutinizes the Rada Tilly closure, operated by Casino Club under a 15-year concession extension tied to a public works contribution fund, asking whether the shutdown triggers a clause that could nullify that benefit.
Goic further noted that workers could be entitled to full salary payments if the company fails to comply with formal notices, and called on authorities to verify whether the reported 50% severance offers are legally defensible.
The closure of nearby Rada Tilly Casino is also under scrutiny, and lawmakers are now questioning whether the shutdown could trigger clauses that revoke those benefits
