Israeli casino mooted by tourism chief

2007-12-05 15:07:37

Israel's tourism minister has told fellow policy-makers and journalists that he wants a casino to be built in the south of the country.

Yitzhak Aharonovitch believes that the construction of a casino in Eilat will not only help the Israeli economy but will draw gamblers away from illegal venues.

A large number of Israeli gamblers used to frequent a casino in Jericho before Palestinian terrorist threats in September 2000 deterred visitors.

"A casino will be good for Israel and will bring in a lot of money that will be channelled to health, education and welfare," he told the Jerusalem Post.

But he warned that a legal casino in Eilat must have its own police force to protect the casino and its surroundings and to clampdown on illegal activities.

Israel's tourism ministry wants to attract 2.8 million visitors to the Jewish state in 2008 and up to five million by 2012.