Canadian developer Patti Rao Projects plans to build a new tourist complex with gaming in Costa Rica.
The US$440 million Casino City Caribe will be located near the city of Limón at the entrance to the Tortuguero Canals, a popular tourist destination.
Plans call for three hotels totaling 264 rooms and 219 residences, three casinos, convention and meeting space, a marina, an entertainment venue and a spa and wellness center.
A report in local newspaper Periódico La República said the project has been approved by the local government and is supported by the Costa Rica Tourism Board and the Ministry of Environment.
Construction is scheduled to begin early next year, the newspaper said, and will support 1,500 jobs at completion.
Costa Rica is home to more than 40 small gaming venues in hotels, most located in hotels that cater to tourists frequenting the better-known beaches. The largest operator is Spanish gaming giant CIRSA, which entered the market in 2015 via a $33.5 million acquisition of seven Thunderbird casinos.
