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SENEGAL
Opening Of New Casino 1970
SENEGAL'S FIRST CASINO WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE GENERAL COMMISSIONER FOR TOURISM, M. SOULEYMANE SIDIBE, ON THURSDAY (FEBRUARY 26TH.) 1970.THE CASINO IS SITUATED NEAR THE CAPITAL, DAKAR.
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, M.SIDIBE SAID THE NEW CASINO WAS A "NECESSARY EVIL" IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENEGAL'S TOURIST INDUSTRY AS IT WILL PROVIDE THE COUNTRY WITH THE FOREIGN CURRENCY IT NEEDS. HE ADDED THAT SENEGAL'S BEAUTY, CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION WILL ATTRACT AN INCREASING NUMBER OF TOURISTS.
M. FABRE, CHAIRMAN OF THE CASINO'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SAID HE SAW THE NEW PRESISES AS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WOULD FIND AMUSEMENT AND RELAXATION.
AFTER CUTTING A RIBBON TO OFFICIALLY INAUGURATE THE CASINO, M. SIDIBE WAS SHOWN AROUND THE TWO PUBLIC AND ONE PRIVATE GAMBLING ROOMS, BAR, AND THREE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES. THE CASINO, OPEN NIGHTLY FROM 5 PM TO 6 AM, CAN ACCOMMODATE 400 GAMBLERS.
THE NEW CASINO IS PART OF A LARGE BUILDING COMPLEX, WHICH WILL ALSO HOUSE A NIGHTCLUB, RESTAURANT AND BALLROOM WHEN COMPLETED IN OCTOBER. TOTAL COST OF THE BUILDING COMPLEX WILL BE 200 MILLION C.F.A. FRANCS (ABOUT GBP3 MILLION STERLING). THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT IS CONSTRUCTING A TOURIST VILLAGE IN THE AREA, WHICH WILL INCLUDE A HOTEL AND AN AQUARIUM.
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