Eilat Casino
Whether Eilat casinos should find their way into the Jewish State is a million dollar question being raised in recent times. According to the head of Knesset’s tourism sub-committee Labor Mk Avi Yehezkei, the chances of this happening in Israel are high, especially in cities with a low economy like Yerucham and Mitzpe Ramon.
While many mayors are supporting the decision, the religious Knesset forces are turning them down, and are going all out to disrupt any attempts that are being carried out to bring gambling into the Jewish State, even if the government were to approve of them.
Rabbi Avraham Ravitz of Degel Hatorah (Flag of Torah) categorically mentioned that a gambler is deranged and reckless and can never be a witness to the faith, he also added that gambling was against the Jewish Law and all the religious forces would join hands and do all that they could within legal limits to boycott this proposition.
Eilat, the resort city which is located on a solitary land bridge between Asia and Africa at the southernmost tip of Israel, is a phenomenal tourist attraction. The spectacular coral reef and the calm granite mountains from the north offer a phenomenal background to the city. This beautiful city is now being targeted to house a casino for the people in and around the area. This proposition has been going on for years with many gambling tycoons endorsing the idea.
Eminent personalities like Sheldon Adelson owner of the convention center in Las Vegas is proposing to build a $100-$150 million convention centre in Eliat and later on a casino, while Sol Kerzner the master mind that went into building the exotic Sun City casino in South Africa, is planning on a casino in Negev’s Timna region. Along with these renowned persons there are some Israelites who have huge investments in Hungarian and Turkish gambling houses and are welcoming the idea of a casino in Eilat.
Mayor of Las Vegas, Jan Jones commented that Las Vegas has flourished due to the impact of the gaming industry and has made a positive change in so many areas, for example the Mafia were ousted out of town, revenues from casinos have been rolled back into educational and cultural institutions, the crime rate in the city has considerably been lowered and by and large, the economy has developed and a quality standard in living has been accomplished.
Yossi Levy, head of the police in Israel also commented that they had no objection to Eilat casinos being introduced in Eilat, so long as they were empowered to keep the law and order in control and have a free hand to do what they deem appropriate in different situations.
A recent survey conducted indicated 58% of Israelis vouched for legalized casinos while 31% resisted. Many sites are being proposed for erection of casinos, to name a few Taba, Aqabam, Jericho and Gaza but Elias Freji. The Mayor of Bethlehem categorically mentioned that building a casino in Bethlehem would definitely be opposed as they were an orthodox community, and religious leaders would strongly oppose the decision.
In 1989 there were a few small-time casinos operating on Israel’s territorial waters, but had become notorious for so many crimes and were forced to close shop. Though the Israelis would like a casino for proximity reasons, to avoid them traveling to neighboring states and even all the way to Las Vegas to gamble, but yet would not like it being located in their backyards or very close to where they live, because all said and done the Israelites know the pros’ and cons’ of having a casino operate in this religiously dominated part of the world!
You can play casino games on the internet with online casinos. So if you can't get to an Eilat casino then visit one of the casinos advertised on the site.