For the past two years, management at Casino Metro, which is located in the Convention District's Sheraton hotel, has been working on expanding the gaming center. This will house the space of the previous location of the Metropol restaurant, which will add 7,000 square feet to the 23,000 square feet that the existing location already has.
“We want to try to make it easier for the customer. Let them find their product, let them move from side to side, let them explore and seek their luck, while we continue bringing new products,” said Ismael Vega, general manager of the casino, which is celebrating its 14th anniversary.

According to Vega, player demand has been increasing in recent years, so he is confident that this expansion will improve the customer experience.

The manager reported that, of the $6.2 million, $2.5 million has been in construction, while the remaining $3.7 million has been in 150 new machines. With this sum, the casino will have more than 650 machines. They will also be adding six additional gaming tables, of which four will be blackjack and two will be roulette.

According to Vega, in an estimate, the incorporation of 150 more machines per year represents approximately $2.9 million more for Group B (government) made up of the University of Puerto Rico, the General Fund and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. Today, the annual contribution to the treasury of said casino is $24 million.

“This casino has been characterized, over the years, by having a diversity of incredible products. From the best of the new products and the latest on the avenue, to very old and mega-famous products that no one can take away, and with this expansion what we are looking for is to exalt that experience,” he expressed.

Other Investments
In addition to this expansion, Vega reported that the Casino has invested around $2 million over the last year to modernize the machine system to improve the customer experience. Meanwhile, by 2024, the second phase of the expansion will be carried out, which will include new bathrooms, a new entertainment platform and the redesign of the bar and lounge. Although at the moment there is no fixed date for the inauguration, Vega reported that it should be between December and January.

Sports bets
On the other hand, the casino's sports betting division, Metro Bets with Caesars Sportbook, celebrates one year this December since it opened. According to the manager, they currently have 5,500 clients registered for 'retail' operation, which refers to in-person operation and which has been going on for 11 months.

While, for the online operation, which has been active for three months since the Gaming Commission approved it, they have 2,000 customers registered through their mobile application.

Exempt from the Public Order Code

On the other hand, after EL VOCERO asked the manager how the first week went after the implementation of the new Public Order Code of San Juan, he indicated that the early morning alcohol sales restrictions will not apply to the casinos.

“The Gaming Commission sent us a circular explaining that, despite what the new code regulates (regarding the sale of alcohol), their (Gaming Commission) regulation, because it is state, goes above the code, so that does not affect us, although obviously it is not something that we are going to promote in any way,” Vega reported.

He explained that, despite this exemption, which would allow them to sell alcohol at any time of the day, he reported that he had a meeting with the managers of the other casinos in the municipality and they have agreed that they will not abuse that benefit.

“This is something that we have to continue operating as we have done until now. In my case, I open my lounge until 3:00 a.m., that does not mean that I will open until 4:00, 5:00, or 6:00 a.m., because we are going to continue operating the way we are operating . . I am adding security to make sure that we can have absolute control of our room and the clients,” he pointed out.