CODERE commenced its activities in Uruguay in 2002. Together with its local partners it was awarded the concession to manage the Maroñas Racetrack. CODERE and its partners have always been aware of the responsibility and commitment assumed on rescuing the racing activity, after so many years of neglect, in a country where this sport has so much tradition and history.

CODERE also operates betting shops and slot machines in the country, which maintain sustained growth.

CODERE operates the Maroñas Racetrack (Montevideo), 6 gaming establishments in Montevideo away from the racetrack and 1,500 slot machines. It also has 4 establishments where bets can be placed on horse and greyhound racing. It also has a service for simultaneous broadcast of races held at the racetrack to Latin America and Austria.

The National Maroñas Racetrack, founded by the English community in 1874 in Montevideo, became one of the main racetracks in Latin America and occupied a prestigious place in the social and economic life of the entire region until its closure in 1997 and subsequent expropriation by the Uruguayan government.

In 2002, the Uruguayan Government awarded the contract to operate the Maroñas Racetrack to Hípica Rioplatense S.A. (a joint venture between CODERE and the SLI Group) for a period of 30 years.

With the reopening in 2003, which represented an investment of 50 million dollars, Maroñas has regained its prestige as a racetrack of the first order and is Codere´s first incursion into the business model known as racino. This business means transforming the racetrack into an entertainment centre, combining races with casino-type games such as slot machines or other kinds of betting. On the back of the experience in Uruguay, CODERE has successfully exported this model to Panama and Mexico.

The strong technological investments made by Maroñas have turned this racetrack into the most modern in Latin America, capable of offering simulcasting, an exclusive system of simultaneous bets via satellite TV, which permits the exchange of races between Europe, North America and Latin America.

Maroñas has an electronic bet totaliser system with 125 fixed and 2 portable sell-pay vending machines, a digital quality closed circuit system with 9 cameras and 317 TV monitors.

The set-up of the Maroñas National Racetrack, as well as the success attained through its management, has turned it into a benchmark example.

• Slot machines: 1.527
• Betting shops: 6
• Racetracks: 1 

• Revenue: 7,6 million euros 
• EBITDA: 2,1 million euros 

• 2002: granting of concession 
• 2003: reopening of the Maroñas racetrack