Betting in Lima

Founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima has grown to become the capital and largest city of Peru. With a metro population of just over 8.4 million, the city sprawls across the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers in the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban zone known as the Lima Metropolitan Area.

Since 1988, the historic centre of Lima has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Made up of the districts of Lima and Rímac, it features some 1,600 balconies overlooking the streets, plazas, cathedrals, houses, monuments and government buildings of the old city. Lima also has a vibrant and active theater scene, including classic theater, cultural presentations, modern theater, experimental theater, dramas, dance performances, and theater for children. It is home to the Municipal Theater, Segura Theater, Japanese-Peruvian Theater, Marsano Theater, British theater, Theater of the PUCP Cultural Center and the Yuyachkani Theater.

Located along the northern and southern ends of the city are Lima’s renowned beaches, which are heavily visited during the summer months. An abundance of restaurants, clubs and hotels have opened in these areas to serve the beachgoers. Casinos have proliferated, too, especially since the turn of the new millennium, many of which have adopted familiar names from non-affiliated gambling establishments in other cities.

For example, on the east side of the city near the La Molina National Agricultural University is the Flamingo Casino on Avenida La Molina. It has no connection to the famed Flamingo in Las Vegas, of course, but it does offer some 250 gaming machine and a Blackjack table, with action available 24 hours a day. There is also a bar on the premises that serves both food and drinks.

Similarly, despite its familiar name, the Luxor Casino on Avenida Primavera is in no way connected to the MGM Resorts property of the same name. This gaming venue offers a 7,578 square foot gaming space with 253 gaming machines under the auspices of Thunderbird Resorts.

Another casino which has borrowed a famous moniker is the Atlantic City – Centro de Entretenimiento y Convenciones. As one of the largest gambling venues in Lima, it is located on Avenida Benavides in the Miraflores district to the south, featuring 30,000-square-foot gaming space with 1,000 gaming machines, 54 table games and a race and sports book with simulcasting of events.

The action at Atlantic City continues non-stop, 24/7, complemented by dining opportunities at three on-site restaurants: the Eliazar for international cuisine, the Ice Cream Parlor – Bakery, and the Self Gourmet for fast food of an international variety. There is also karaoke nightly from 8pm, and Atlantic City has previously played host to the Latin Series of Poker tournament.

The Aladino Casino with its 85 gaming machines is open 24 hours a day on Avenida Aviación in the San Borja district, while other slot parlours around the city bear such Las Vegas-sounding names as Texas Station Casino, Sahara Casino, Mandalay Slots, Bingo Palace and more.

One of the oldest continuing forms of betting in Peru is on horse races. The Hipódromo de Monterrico opened in Lima in 1960 in the Surco district. Featuring both dirt and grass surfaces for racing, the track is open on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 2pm until 6pm. A modern racebook with pari-mutuel wagering is located on the premises, and the nearby El Polo Hotel & Casino offers machine gaming within an easy walk from the paddocks.

Published on: 02/04/2013

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