Competing gambling venues in Hessia asserting their presence in the crowded gambling industry
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Hustlin' in Homburg: The Exploding Gaming SceneWritten by Yannick Schroth, Edited by Angela Burke, Published on: 06.05.2025, Updated on: 08.05.2025.
- Casino Bad Homburg Pulled in a Whopping 58 Million Euros in 2024
- 90% of Revenue is Slot Machine Gold, Classic Games Clock in at a Respectable 10%
- Casino Wiesbaden Stands Firm on Preserving the Classic
Sizzling Revenue in Bad Homburg
The timeless appeal of Casino Bad Homburgsent its revenue skyrocketingto an impressive 58 million Euros in 2024, according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung and the German Press Agency.
Spearheading the establishment, CEO Lutz Schenkel, shares that the casino's diverse allure draws patrons from every age group. It's a place where the young and the seasoned alike come to roll the dice and spin the slots. Every weekday, around 650 folks saunter in, and weekends practically call for setting up shop for the hundreds more who follow suit. The staff of 230 employees know this inflow of gamblers like the back of their hand.
Gambling in Bad Homburg means more than just bunkering down at slot machines. Visitors can also enjoy classic games such as roulette and blackjack in the historical Brunnensälchen.
Casino Bad Homburg Keys the New Kurhaus
A dance between the old and the new is brewing in Bad Homburg: the casino is poised to become the show's anchor, financing the revitalization of the dilapidated Kurhaus instead of dipping into public funds. The city plans to cover nearly all project costs with rental income from the François-Blanc Casino GmbH.
The concept: demolition instead of renovation. Bad Homburg's 80s Kurhaus isn't cutting it when it comes to safety and construction, so a more modern building will rise in its place. In this gleaming new structure, the casino will boast even more space, including room for around 50 additional slot machines, potentially netting an extra 13 million Euros per year.
In the 19th century, the casino played a crucial part in financing the then Kurhaus, and that cycle may close with the move back into luxurious, modern accommodations.
Casino Wiesbaden Won't Quit the Classics
Like Bad Homburg, the Casino Wiesbaden banks on the classic gaming experience, as per CEO Andreas Krautwald. While some German casinos have switched solely to the slot machine scene, Wiesbaden and Bad Homburg keep the legacy alive.
In "The North's Nice," as Wiesbaden is affectionately known, the traditional casino space will be preserved, melding history with the technology to thrive in a dynamic gambling climate.
Although classic games maintain their prestige and significance, slot machines drive the bulk of earnings, at least for Bad Homburg: around 90% of revenue comes from those shiny one-armed bandits, while the classic table games account for a more modest 10%.
For Kurdirector Holger Reuter, the Casino Bad Homburg, founded by business magnate François Blanc in 1841, is crucial to the city's identity and economic development:
Without its casino, Bad Homburg wouldn't be Bad Homburg.- Holger Reuter, Kurdirector, Süddeutsche Zeitung**
Acknowledging the Gambling Addiction
While the casino dances its way to success, it doesn't overlook the issue of problem gambling. Awareness brochures about compulsive gambling behaviors are already at the casino entrance, and support for potentially at-risk guests is readily available. Some visitors even request self-exclusion.
Internal training is a priority, too. Croupiers in the classic games don't receive formal training; instead, they're schooled by their colleagues and even invited to play themselves to develop their understanding of players' needs. Schenkel believes that face-to-face interaction in the casino makes it easier for employees to recognize players who might be struggling with addiction.
Online casinos present more challenges in this regard, as anonymity makes it tough to spot issues early on, according to Schenkel.
Wiesbaden's License Countdown
While Bad Homburg's license runs until 2037, Wiesbaden's clock is ticking: the license will expire at year's end. The city has already embarked on the re-tendering process, aiming to complete it by summer 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.
The Austrian gambling titan Novomatic recently had talks about taking over as the majority shareholder from the current operation's primary owner, Jahr + Achterfeld Gesellschaft. Operating the casino solo presents challenges for the city, such as a lack of expertise and significant start-up capital, despite the option being considered.
- The expansive gaming scene in Germany continues to grow, with online casinos like Casino Bad Homburg leading the charge in revenue generation.
- Gambling trends are showing a shift towards modern slot machines, which contributes to an average of 90% of a casino's earnings, as demonstrated by Casino Bad Homburg.
- Despite the popularity of slot machines, classic games such as blackjack, poker, and roulette still hold their own, with Casino Bad Homburg offering them in the historical Brunnensälchen.
- In 2024, Casino Bad Homburg generated an impressive €58 million, with Casino Wiesbaden standing firm on preserving the classic casino-and-gambling experience.
- The city of Bad Homburg plans to fund the revitalization of its Kurhaus by leveraging rental income from François-Blanc Casino Gmbh, with the potential for further revenue from additional slot machines.
- While gambling addiction is a concern, responsible-gambling measures are in place at both casinos, including awareness brochures and internal training for employees to recognize potential signs of problem gambling.
- Online casinos present unique challenges in recognizing and addressing gambling addiction due to the anonymity they provide, according to Casino Bad Homburg's CEO, Lutz Schenkel.
- The license for Casino Wiesbaden is set to expire at the end of 2025, initiating a re-tendering process to ensure a smooth transition for the beloved casino-culture institution.
