The search for Benin casinos starts and ends in Cotonou, the vibrant
coastal city on the Gulf of Benin, which, although it is not the
official capital, is the seat of government. Benin shares a coastline
with its two major neighbors, Nigeria and Togo. Like many of the
countries of West Africa, it has a relatively small coast and a vast
hinterland, which supplies the raw materials that are presently the
major part of its economy. However, the government of Benin has stated
that one of its key goals is to develop a thriving tourist industry, and
a major part of this plan is encouraging the building of international
standard hotels. It is therefore to be expected that many of these
hotels will offer gambling opportunities, and casinos will feature
prominently in this. As regards Benin casinos actually available now,
Benin Marina Hotel, on Cotonou's fast developing coast, offers casino
facilities and a gambling room. This hotel is fully up to international
standards, with conference rooms, a golf course, a swimming pool, a
beautiful beach, restaurants, a bar, and many other amenities to be
expected in a luxury class hotel.
Benin's main airport is in Cotonou, and there are regular international
flights from key destinations. Cotonou is on the Gulf of Guinea, which
is one of the rapidly developing tourist destinations in West Africa,
offering superb beaches, constant equatorial climate, and a wealth of
cultural and natural resources.
Benin's democratic government is keen to develop tourism, and there is
no obvious reason why gambling should not feature highly in this. Benin
is a very diverse country, with many of its people following traditional
animist beliefs. Benin is believed to be the home of Vodun, or Voodoo,
as it is better known. There are also substantial Christian and Muslim
minorities, but no social or political barriers to investment and
development in gambling, casinos, and other leisure pursuits.
The development of additional Benin casinos would offer the usual
benefits to the people: the creation of jobs in a profitable service
industry, positive cash flow, raising the country's profile, development
of ancillary services such as transport infrastructure, and the chance
to develop social infrastructure around it. Education, for example,
follows closely in the tracks of such development.
So, Benin offers a wonderful opportunity for investment in casinos,
gambling facilities, and other leisure activities. It is a friendly,
welcoming country that has a good reputation for being crime free and
hospitable to its growing number of visitors.
