Revenues from Israelis by the Palestinian casino in Jericho reach $100 million a year. This is the estimate of the defense establishment. Every day, 3,000 foreign nationals, mostly Israelis, visit the casino. Israeli traffic to the town increases at the weekends.
Jericho remains the West Bank's quietest town, security wise. The reason, to a large extent, is given in Israel as the casino. The town is very dependent on the income from the casino and the possibility that Israel might close off access to it during a crisis creates a great Palestinian Authority interest in avoiding conflict in the area. Another reason is the fact that top Palestinians in the security mechanisms are among those benefiting from casino revenues.
Every few months, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) punishes soldiers who visit the casino, against instructions. The reason for the order stems from the IDF fear that soldiers visiting the casino will fall prey to Palestinian extortion attempts against defense establishment personnel. Casino security guards normally record all those entering casino on a close-circuit television.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on 27 February, 2000