Netanyahu said to push for casino in Eilat

Netanyahu
Netanyahu has opened discussions on launching a casino in the southern resort city of Eilat.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday has has instructed on launching a casino in Eilat. Netanyahu discussed the matter with Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz and Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, Channel 10 reported.

This is not the first time that such a plan has been made. Casino tycoon and Netanyahu backer Sheldon Adelson was trying to take advantage of open a casino in Israel but initiative was balked by various tourism ministers over the years.

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin told “Yediot Ahronot”: “My concern is that a casino will become a magnet for the underworld and a place where people would lose everything. It is clear that we need to find solutions for increasing the number of tourists to Eilat and there are not enough attractions in the city. I’m not looking to increase the number of tourists by 5% but attractions that will change the face of the city. But if the price of a casino is that the region will attract crime, it’s preferable that there won’t be one.”