Andorran Government extends deadline to respond to tender appeals

The government of Andorra has extended the deadline for its response to appeals put forward by five of the operators who were unsuccessful in the tender for the microstate’s sole casino licence.

The Andorran Gaming Control Board (CRAJ) now has until 27 November to prepare its response which it is hoped will shed further light on its decision to award the licence to Company Jocs SA at the end of June.

With 100 percent of the capital for the project coming from Andorra, the company plans to build a casino in the capital, Andorra la Vella.

In total five major operators – Casinos Austria, Genting, Partouche, Barrière and Cirsa – have appealed outcome of the tender process.

In October, four of the companies requested that the Andorran executive suspend the licensing process for the new casino concession until the outcome of the appeals is announced.

Local media reports suggest that one of the appeals specifically argues that the director of the CRAJ, Xavier Bardina, interfered in the tender process, making decisions which corresponded to the evaluation board.

Of the five complaints, four request that the licence decision be “completely nullified”, with the appellants threatening legal action if the government fails to address what they have characterised as “serious irregularities” in the handling of the tender.