Argentina's Casino Magic Neuquén will invest $15m to build a four-story, 103-room hotel next to its existing casino in Neuquén city
The project is part of the commitments attached to the extension of its provincial gaming concession, following a decree signed by the provincial government in May 2026 that overhauled the terms under which casino concessions operate in Neuquén.
The Instituto Provincial de Juegos de Azar del Neuquén (IJAN) approved concession agreements with three operators, RIMA, Hotelera Emprender and Casino Magic Neuquén, conditioning the extensions on commitments to invest in tourism infrastructure, generate employment and expand accommodation capacity across the province.
The decree also increased the tax burden on operators. Casino Magic's Ingresos Brutos (gross revenue) tax rate rose from 2% to 3%, while the company also became subject to Impuesto de Sellos (stamp tax), from which it had previously been exempt.
The gaming fee for in-person operations rose from 15% to 17.5%, while the rate for online gaming remained at 15%. The calculation method also changed, with the fee now based on revenue from the previous month rather than the previous year's financial statements.
Beyond Casino Magic's hotel, Hotelera Emprender committed to building an apart hotel of more than 1,000 square meters in Chos Malal, with 12 suite rooms and two duplex units, in an investment exceeding $2.4m.
RIMA agreed to purchase and restore the Hotel Alfa in Cutral-Có, upgrading it to three-star status with 42 rooms, in an investment above $2.5m. The company is also considering a cabin complex in northern Neuquén.
The new concession framework also requires operators to generate employment as part of their investment commitments