Cotonou : The vibrant coastal city on the Gulf of Benin

Benin shares a coastline with its two major neighbours, 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 to Cotonou 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.