Viña del Mar Casino
While driving south on Avenida San Martin in Viña del Mar, if you look right, you will see white sand beaches and Valparaíso, in the distance, across the bay. If you look left, you will see luxury apartments and thriving businesses. It is a picturesque spot.
Occasionally you will see a Ferrari or Lamborghini zoom by. If you can keep up, odds are they will continue down the road for a few kilometers and turn into the valet line of the Viña del Mar Casino.
One of nine facilities of the Enjoy Casino brand in Chile, it is a spacious, seaside property in the heart of the Viña del Mar commercial district. The connected hotel and spa come highly recommended.
When I first walked into the casino, I took my ID out from my money clip and expected to find a security line. As I walked further into the casino, I kept wondering when I would be “checked” and admitted entrance. In my hometown of St. Louis in the US, there are many casinos and the security is similar to pre-flight screenings of the TSA.
I continued walking unabated onto the gaming floor and was overwhelmed with a sense of freedom I simply cannot find back in the US. It was just another reminder of why I moved to Chile and will continue to relocate to places that I think respect personal liberties.
The inside of the casino is just as magnificent as the outside. As I explored further, I noticed a diverse selection of options for games and slot machines. As I looked at the faces of the different players, I didn’t sense any desperation or trouble. I think a majority of the players view gambling as entertainment. My friend played blackjack and doubled his money on a $5,000 peso ($10 USD) minimum in about an hour and half.
We were given a positive recommendation of the nightclub called OVO and decided to check it out. The music was a mix of electronic dance music, alternative pop, and a splash of spanish language hip hop/rap. Many beautiful people were in attendance, and the average age was around 28. The drinks were moderately priced–whiskey and coke for $4,000 pesos.
The casino looked similar to many I have visited in the US but had a different feel and I enjoyed it. With great restaurants, a fun nightclub, great gaming options, a relaxing spa, and amazing views of the pacific ocean, it’s a recommended spot for visitors.
Unfortunately, there is currently a campaign from a small minority of the population to close the casino. You see signs around Viña protesting the casino. It seems that at least one thing is the same in the US and Chile — some people think that adults should not be allowed to choose freely with what they do with their own money.
In the end, it is a great attraction and only adds value to the local economy. It is definitely a spot you want to check out when you are in the area. If you happen to have trouble finding it, just remember, follow the Lamborghini’s.
Good things to come,
Luke Blackburn
Contact Luke at Exosphere
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