Israeli gamblers to bet ‘in the air’

The sky will soon be the limit for Israeli gamblers with the launch of a new airborne casino allowing them to skirt the country’s tough gaming laws.

The Transport Ministry said May 27 it had authorized Icelandic airline Air Atlanta to fly the custom-built Boeing 747 three times a day starting next year.

“I approved it because I cannot oppose it legally, and it is a very important contract for the Israeli aeronautical industry,” the minister, Ephraim Sneh, told Israeli radio.

The plane is being built at a cost of between $20 and $30 million, and will be capable of carrying up to 230 punters, according to the Maariv daily.

The four-hour flights will circle over the Eastern Mediterranean outside Israel’s territorial limits.

Israeli laws ban gambling but people regularly flock to casino cruises from the Red Sea port of Eilat or travel to several foreign countries, especially Turkey, to gamble.

Israelis also used to account for most of the clients at the Oasis casino in the Palestinian town of Jericho, but it has been closed because of fighting in the 20-month Palestinian intifada.

The Oasis used to draw some 2,500 clients on week nights and up to 6,000 on weekends.

(AFP)

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