While in Mexico City in September of 2004, I received a query from a senior representative of an Indian casino in San Diego County, California. The
message read: ?I received a call from Irma Auyon. She stated ? she was given the exclusive permit to find investors for a casino in Mexicali and in
San Felipe (Baja California, Mexico). She wants to meet with us, but I don?t know that she is legit or that casino gaming in Mexico is finally going
to happen. Help!?
My response, in part: ?? yesterday I spent much of the day at the Chamber of Deputies, with a variety of people, specifically discussing casinos and
the future of casinos. The Mexican casino initiative has yet to be debated in the Chamber of Deputies, although the recess period nationwide forums
have concluded and the curious intent of that work has been completed. As well, the political parties (excepting the anti-casino posture of the small
PRD delegation in Congress) have yet to take formal positions?.
?More specifically, who is Irma Auyon?? Second, Mexicali and/or San Felipe have little chance of being on the first-phase list for casinos, not only
for sociopolitical reasons but based on requisites set forth in the draft legislation. Regarding investors, as you know they are already lined-up and
chomping-at-the-bit should the legislation be passed. It would seem interesting to meet with Ms. Auyon, but first one might want to know more about
her personally, professionally and who she (really) represents.?
Upon returning to San Diego, in a follow-up conversation, the Indian casino contact said that Auyon had maintained approval of casinos in Mexico was
imminent. She reportedly claimed that in addition to being tasked to find investors, she also had the full and direct support from the highest levels
in the Secretariat of Government. And without mentioning names she alluded to a probability of the secretary of that ministry, someone who would
remember backers and friends, becoming the next president of Mexico.
After requested cursory and indirect follow-up on the Mexican side of the border, the casino representative said that a decision had been made to
adopt a wait-and-see strategy regarding possible future ventures in Mexico.
And as it looked like an isolated incident, maybe by an over-the-top promoter rather than a pretender, the file went to the bottom of this observer?s
pile.
Through all of this the gaming reform legislation, that includes provisions for casinos to once again operate in Mexico, stagnated away in the Mexican
Chamber of Deputies.
Yet the Mexican government published a Regulation for the Federal Gaming and Raffles Law on September 17, 2004, that went into effect on October 14.
And with it gaming entrepreneurs, especially in the northern city of Monterrey, Nuevo Le?n, seized upon a loophole to countermand the governing
Federal Gaming and Raffles Law of 1947.
The lead sentence in Article 9 of the Regulation states: ?Slot machines, in any of their models, will not be subject to authorization.? With this
betting centers, with slot and video machines, as well as bingo parlors and books for offsite wagering, began to spring up with different operators
claiming to have the necessary permits from the Secretariat of Government.
Months later, on March 7, 2005, a call was received from a land developer in San Felipe, Baja California, asking about one Irma Auyon and her offer of
Secretariat of Government gaming permits.
The pitch had changed however. While Auyon earlier said she represented casino investment interests, she and an associate now said they were acting
at the behest of the Secretariat of Government.
Going further, they named then Secretary Santiago Creel ? whom they declared will be Mexico?s next president, as the guarantor of the expensive
permits. Permits for non-casino gaming centers with video and slot machines, plus bingo authorizations.
Auyon also alleged to have the blessing of the National Action Party (PAN), saying that Creel will be the party?s candidate. Statements the San
Felipe developer interpreted to mean that some of the money at least would go towards getting Creel elected president.
So now the story comes off the pile, for just maybe it is more than con.
It has been recently revealed, that since the 2004 promulgation of the Gaming Regulation and during the watch of Santiago Creel, more permits were
issued and paid for than during the accumulative 60 preceding years. Additionally, some 30 percent of the new permits went to subsidiaries of
Televisa, Mexico?s media giant and a major player in getting someone elected.Bruce R Leech - 6-27-2005 at 08:37 AM
I don't think legalized Gamboling is a good Idea in Mexico. I wouldn't have anything to do with it.bajajudy - 6-27-2005 at 08:41 AM
It will ruin our beloved Baja.....there is no doubtBruce R Leech - 6-27-2005 at 09:03 AM
with all the corruption I don't think they could keep it clean.
Gambling Everywhere
MrBillM - 6-27-2005 at 09:34 AM
There was an article in La Cronica the other day about Casino Gambling coming to San Felipe. Juan at El Nido's pointed it out to me. I didn't get a
chance to read it.
It seems to me that, with gambling everywhere in the U.S., the attraction wouldn't be that great anymore, but I could be wrong. It's a subject I have
very little experience with. The only time I was ever in an Indian Casino was on Christmas a.m. some years back. I was headed for San Diego to sail
my boat and couldn't find any restaurants open. Stopped at the marooongo casino. The only money they got from me was for a mediocre Ham and Eggs.
I agree with those who don't see any positive impact from Casino Gambling.osoflojo - 6-27-2005 at 12:04 PM
It all sounds like the same hussle, 15 years ago in Cabo the hot word was about how this place and that place were being wired for electric and
outlets to accomidate slot machines. This property and then that property and this guy and then that one were in line for the first permits. ya, ya,
on and on ad nausium. If it was going to happen we would have seem some unmistakable signs by now, not just persistant stories that pop up with a
similar thread but different names.........I wouldn't bet on it anytime soon!burro bob - 6-27-2005 at 12:24 PM
Bruce
It has always been legal to gambol in mexico. I usually do it in the canyons of the Sierra San Pedro Martir but most people gambol on the beach. If
they ever allow casinos I guess you could gambol while you are gambling.
All the people I talk to in San Felipe say that San Felipe is most definately on the A list for casinos when it is finally allowed. I get this info
from city officials not real estate agents.
burro bobDave - 6-27-2005 at 01:04 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by burro bob
All the people I talk to in San Felipe say that San Felipe is most definately on the A list for casinos when it is finally allowed. I get this info
from city officials not real estate agents.
The "A" list for full-blown casinos is:
Cancun
Cabo
PV
Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa
Acapulco
(and wherever else Carlos Slim wants them )Sharksbaja - 6-27-2005 at 01:40 PM
if it turns out anything like here in Oregon....good luck. All they contribute is ZERO.Cincodemayo - 6-27-2005 at 01:48 PM
Sharks..
Same with Washington. Most of the money goes to administrative BS and advertizing. Someone sure is lining their pockets.backninedan - 6-27-2005 at 04:40 PM
Before moving to Loreto, I was envolved in Nevada and Oregon gaming for 20 years, the last 8 years I worked for Indian casinos, the grief gaming
causes is hard to believe if your not there each day to see it destroy families, and empty bank accounts.
I called some of my contacts with Oregon Indian gaming and they hadnt heard anything from Mexico and were not aware of any other casino being
contacted.
I hope its slow in getting here, but get here it will.Bruce R Leech - 6-27-2005 at 05:33 PM
this is going to be the main problem here in Mexico the people here really love Gaming but they cant quit until the money is all gone. I think I will
be devastating.
ensenada
jerry - 6-27-2005 at 05:33 PM
there are buildings in ensenada setting vacant all set up and ready with vagas insigneas on them just waiting but they been waiting for a while all
ready probibly just another baja broken dream??
never set a foot in an indian
beercan - 6-27-2005 at 08:27 PM
casino and never will.
We have two trash pits here in Yuma . My esposa and I have been going to Las Wages and now Laughlin for over 30 years and will again, never go to any
Mexican casino.burro bob - 6-28-2005 at 11:09 AM
Dave
Where did you get your A-list from? You qualified your list as full blown casinos so it is possible we are talking about two different types of
gambling, like the difference between the limited stakes gambling in Colorado and the real thing in Vegas.
All the cities on your list are allready succesful resort areas. I thought the idea behind the casinos was to use them to get growth in the less
developed resorts, like San Felipe.
I think it is a bad idea also. I don't know what kind of efect it would have on a place like Cabo but it would definately turn San Felipe into a
really trashed out Laughlin.
burro bobDave - 6-28-2005 at 09:56 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by burro bob
All the cities on your list are allready succesful resort areas. I thought the idea behind the casinos was to use them to get growth in the less
developed resorts, like San Felipe.
I think it is a bad idea also.
The idea is to limit access to the tourists, especially the ones who can afford it.
Quote:
Originally posted by burro bob
it would definately turn San Felipe into a really trashed out Laughlin.
I think someone already beat them to it.
Beercan
jrbaja - 6-28-2005 at 10:02 PM
Is it something about the lighting? Or, what's the difference ?
)
