Malabo casino closures threaten more than 500 jobs
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Radio Macuto
The sudden closure of casinos and betting companies in Malabo threatens more than 500 jobs in Malabo and Bata, according to sources cited by Radio Macuto. The establishments closed on 28 October after negotiations opened with B2Tech, which proposes investing 20 million dollars over five years in a national lottery.
Betting shops and casinos in Malabo, including Bettomax, Gem King, El Barco, 1xBet and Geloto, closed on Wednesday 28 October, leaving more than 500 people without work in Malabo and Bata, according to Radio Macuto. Cashiers in Malabo were summoned to the gendarmerie and the establishments’ keys were taken from them.
The previous day, Equatorial Guinea’s Vice-President Teddy Nguema had received B2Tech, a company specialising in sports betting and casino platforms, which is proposing to create a joint company responsible for a national lottery and the regulation of betting. It promises to invest 20 million dollars over five years and create between 500 and 1,000 jobs. Teddy Nguema authorised negotiations until the end of November, Guinea Ecuatorial Press reports.
On 28 October, the vice-president asked the Ministry of Information to review licences in the sector. The official version refers to a review of authorisations. Radio Macuto reports that the establishments closed the same day, while the fate of the funds left in the cash registers has not been established.
