Spain to be home to Europe’s largest casino

by Abha Malpani on

Spain’s lottery market is one of the largest in the world; it is home to the world’s fattest Christmas draw (El Gordo) that amounts to Euro2.20 billion(!), the country has slot-machines in almost every bar, and countless mini-casinos in every city.

I don’t know what the scene is like in other European countries, but trying your luck at some sort of gambling on a daily basis can totally be considered part of Spanish culture and tradition. With the high variety and demand of national and local level daily ‘money-winning’ opportunities in the country, gambling has often, and rightly, been called a national obsession.

So, it is no surprise that Spain has just declared building what will be Europe’s largest casino resort in Zaragoza — the 5th largest Spanish metropolitan that is located about 200 miles from Madrid. Tentatively called “Gran Escala” (Grand Scale), this ‘Vegas’ will cover 5000 acres, include 32 hotels and 5 theme parks.

A few years ago, the estimated amount spent on gambling by Spaniards was Euro22.68 billion, with older figures showing that every Spaniard spent Euro435 annually on the same. The country’s gambling market is expected to grow to Euro39 billion by 2010.

I guess everyone would love to sweep the table in a game of poker or win the lottery and never have to work again; here Spaniards try day-in-day-out to make that dream into a reality.

Asylum Airlines

by Willy Volk on

In 2000, roughly 400,000 asylum seekers applied for asylum in the EU. Of course, many of those people were refused asylum and were deported.

Currently, commercial airlines fly deportees back home. However, deporting people is unpleasant for everyone involved. Not only is it expensive for governments to deport people, it’s intimidating for “normal” passengers to see chained deportees surrounded by armed security on their flight. As a result, many commercial airlines have stopped taking asylum seekers.

Seeing a need, therefore, two businessmen are planning to launch a new airline devoted specifically for failed asylum seekers. So-called Asylum Airlines will provide meals, guards, medical staff, and a representative of a human rights group on each flight. They’ll even provide padded rooms for the unruly.

Essentially, the planes will fly around Europe, pick up failed asylum seekers, and return them to their homes. According to one of the businessmen, “With a professional service the deportations will be faster, chains will not be needed and the deportees can enjoy a meal.” Amusingly, the men claim they haven’t made plans for inflight entertainment or a frequent-flyer scheme.

This is probably one airline you don’t want to test, so be certain to double-check the information on Priceline before hitting that “purchase” button!

[Via Mobissimo; Photo: Java Cafe]