Santa Cruz City Council Orders Closure of Historic Real Casino de Tenerife
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has ordered the immediate closure of the historic Real Casino de Tenerife due to a lack of required public venue permits and ongoing noise regulation violations.
The historic headquarters of the Real Casino de Tenerife in Plaza de la Candelaria is facing a major crisis. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has ordered the immediate closure of the building, stating that the institution lacks the necessary permits required for public venues.
The dispute began in November 2025 following a noise complaint from a neighbor. A subsequent investigation by the Municipal Urban Planning Office, led by Councilwoman Zaida González, concluded that the Casino’s status as a private, non-profit society—founded in 1840—does not exempt it from regulations if it allows non-members to use its facilities.
The closure order covers all services, including the second- and fourth-floor dining areas, the gym, the playroom, and spaces used for events, concerts, and karaoke. Additionally, the City Council has proposed a fine of over 25,000 euros due to noise violations recorded during the Casino’s 185th-anniversary celebrations last summer.
Casino president Beatriz Barrera has argued that the institution is a private, non-profit entity. However, the City Council maintains that because the Casino frequently hosts events open to non-members, it must comply with Canary Islands Law 7/2011 regarding public performances.
While the board of directors has informed its members of the situation and promised to install sound limiters and restrict nighttime hours, the closure remains in effect. The Casino has now taken the matter to court, seeking an urgent injunction to reopen while the legal battle continues. This case highlights the ongoing struggle in historic city centers to balance the preservation of traditional institutions with modern urban planning and noise regulations.