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Latin America’s land-based gaming sector is preparing for a historic milestone. International group Cipriani has confirmed that the Cipriani Resort, Residences & Casino Punta del Este will officially open its doors in December 2026, unveiling a mega entertainment complex on the iconic Parada 11 site in La Brava, where the legendary San Rafael hotel casino — demolished in 2019 — operated for decades.
With an estimated investment of USD 700 million, the project — designed by architect Rafael Viñoly’s studio and built by construction firm Criba — represents one of the region’s most ambitious high-end gaming and infrastructure developments, combining ultra-luxury hospitality, exclusive residences, and an international-level casino.
The casino is expected to become one of the key revenue and high-net-worth tourism drivers of the complex. According to company sources, the gaming floor will feature state-of-the-art slot machines and live table games equipped with cutting-edge technology.
Aware of the demands of today’s premium market, the operator has designed an infrastructure focused on privacy and exclusivity, including VIP areas and a private club with restricted-access spaces for high rollers, ensuring discretion and personalized service; high-end dining, with an exclusive members-only restaurant inside the gaming area aimed at extending player dwell time; and the revival of the Gothic Hall, where the complex will recreate the historic 1,911-square-meter space from the former San Rafael, paying tribute to the golden era of nightlife and gambling that once defined the Uruguayan resort city.
Cipriani’s business model integrates the casino into a vertically integrated luxury hospitality ecosystem. The hotel will feature 64 suites — Classic and Premium rooms ranging from 66 to 85 square meters — along with four penthouses of up to 512 square meters. Rates are already being marketed from USD 1,550 to USD 21,550 per night, ensuring a steady flow of affluent international clientele.
The broader entertainment and hospitality offering surrounding the casino includes seven internationally renowned dining concepts, such as the legendary Harry’s Bar and Cipriani’s signature Italian restaurant, as well as a residential complex comprising three towers of 30, 45, and 60 stories. The first tower, scheduled for completion in 2028 and already 60% sold — including a penthouse transaction worth USD 16.6 million — is expected to provide the casino with a built-in base of regular residential customers.
The Cipriani Group also recently announced the launch of training programs for 126 young residents from the Maldonado department who will work as dealers at the complex. During a press conference, the company revealed that 85 men and 41 women between the ages of 18 and 26 were selected to participate in a two-part training program: four months at Locanda, the group’s hotel in La Barra, followed by two months of practical training at the new San Rafael casino.