Casino Central (Central Casino), Mar del Plata

The Casino Central ("Central Casino") is located in Mar del Plata and is one of the largest such establishments in the country. It is one of a pair of twin buildings designed by architect Alejandro Bustillo. Inspired by seafront Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz, France, the casino and neighboring Grand Provincial Hotel remain architectural landmarks of the city of Mar del Plata as well as of Argentina. Its decoration was planned by famed French designer Jean-Michel Frank together with local interior design house Casa Comte. Ground was broken on the casino's construction on July 15, 1938, by the Concordance Governor of Buenos Aires Province, Manuel Fresco, and the Central Casino was inaugurated on December 22, 1939.

Bustillo's twin buildings were designed in an eclectic style, but with reminiscences of French Neoclassical architecture. The buildings were clad in brick and quartzite, and topped with a slate mansard. The grand entrance of the Central Casino, marked by a canopy, was located on Patricio Peralta Ramos Avenue, but was moved to the seashore esplanade following its 2007 refurbishment. Gaming space includes a main room overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, as well as rooms for high rollers (140 tables, including blackjack, baccarat, craps, and roulette) and for slot machines (630). The casino welcomes around 12,000 players per evening during the summer tourist season, with as many as 18,000 daily during January weekends.