Luchon Municipal Council Rejects Casino Reopening Deal
Luchon’s municipal council has voted against a proposed public service delegation for the reopening of the Casino de Luchon, a decision that halts the planned December opening in the Norman pavilion. The rejection came from within the municipal majority itself, with six elected officials expressing opposition to the current Casino project.
The proposed contract,presented by Mayor Éric Azémar,outlined a 20-year delegation to the Golden Palace group. This group, which boasts a €40 million turnover and operates the Casino de Boulogne sur Mer, had planned to invest €4.4 million in Luchon. Their investment breakdown included €2 million for games, over €1 million for renovations, and €1 million for various arrangements, including a temporary casino. The municipality’s contribution was set at just over €3 million.
Though, the terms of the deal faced immediate scrutiny. Opposition council members, citing a recent report from the Regional Chamber of Accounts, declared their intention to vote against the proposal. Gérard Subercaz,Catherine Peyge,Louis Ferré,and Michèle Cau all voiced their support for a casino in principle but objected to the current conditions.More surprisingly, members of the municipal majority also expressed reservations. Olivier Pérusseau, who served on the tender committee, announced he would not vote for the proposal. first Deputy Didier Le Page advocated for renegotiating the contract, noting that Golden Palace’s investment in Digne-les-bains was €7 million, compared to the €4 million proposed for Luchon.Jean-Claude Plana criticized past negotiation processes and urged the council to optimize the city’s resources without over-indebting it.
The rejection of Golden Palace’s final offer and its €4.4 million investment means the reopening of the Casino de Luchon is now indefinitely postponed.
