Competitive Gambling Scene: Hessian Gaming Venues Compete in the Industry
Title: Casino Game Shake-Up: Bad Homburg Breaks Records, Wiesbaden Plans for the Future
By Yannick Schroth, Edited by Angela Burke
Bad Homburg's Casino Revenue Hits 58 Million EUR in 2024Lutz Schenkel, the CEO of the iconic Casino in Bad Homburg, announced a breakthrough in their earnings report, raking in a staggering €58 million last year - the highest since its inception. This magnificent figure is courtesy of the venerable Süddeutsche Zeitung, quoting a press release from the German Press Agency.
The casino's charm, it seems, extends beyond the pension-loving crowd, as revealed by Schenkel. Young patrons, eager to don their finery and indulge in the casino experience, account for a notable proportion of visitors. During an average weekday, around 650 individuals flock to the casino, with that number swelling significantly on weekends. A dedicated team of 230 employees keeps things running smoothly amidst this bustling crowd.
Diversity seems to be the key, as the casino offers a myriad of options beyond the slot machine area. Traditional games like roulette and blackjack can be found nestled in the historic Brunnensälchen.
Renovating the Spa HouseAn exciting transformation is brewing in Bad Homburg: the dilapidated spa house is set for an overhaul, with the casino poised to take the lead. Instead of relying on public funds, the city plans to fund the project almost entirely with revenues from the François-Blanc-Casino GmbH, known as pacht income.
The vision involves tearing down the outdated 1980s building and replacing it with a modern structure that will offer the casino additional space, accommodating around 50 extra slot machines. This expansion could boost annual revenues by an additional 13 million EUR.
A fascinating circle is being completed; the casino helped finance the original spa house in the 19th century, and now it seems poised to resurrect its presence within a modern spa house.
Casino Wiesbaden Chooses the Classic RouteTaking cues from their sibling casino, Casino Wiesbaden under the guidance of CEO Andreas Krautwald, is committed to preserving the nostalgia of classic gaming. In a market brimming with automated gaming, Casino Wiesbaden and Bad Homburg remain steadfast in their dedication to the quintessential casino experience.
Amidst the "Nizza of the North," Casino Wiesbaden plans to merge the traditional casino area with innovative technology to stay competitive amid constant market flux.
While classic games retain their allure and importance, slot machines reign supreme in Bad Homburg, generating a staggering 90% of the casino's revenue, with table games making up just 10%.
Casino Bad Homburg: A Pillar of the City's Image and EconomyIn the words of Kurdirector Holger Reuter, the Casino Bad Homburg, established by businessman François Blanc in 1841, is vital to the city's identity and development:
"Bad Homburg wouldn't be what it is without its casino."
Despite its success, the casino remains vigilant about gambling addiction, providing informational brochures at the entrance and offering preventive conversations for patrons displaying signs of problematic behavior. Some guests even choose to voluntarily ban themselves.
The personal atmosphere within the establishment aids employees in identifying at-risk players, a task made more challenging in the realm of online gambling due to the anonymity it provides. Interestingly, croupiers in the classic game do not receive formal training, according to Schenkel, but are instead trained internally, occasionally even betting alongside customers to develop a sense for the guests.
Wiesbaden: License BattleWhile the Bad Homburg license remains valid until 2037, the situation in Wiesbaden is urgent: the license expires at the end of 2025. According to city administrators, the re-tendering process has already commenced and is expected to conclude by summer 2025 to ensure a seamless transition.
The gaming giant Novomatic was last reported as a contender to replace the current majority shareholder, Jahr + Achterfeld Gesellschaft. The city has also entertained the idea of operating the casino themselves, but faces challenges such as high start-up capital and a lack of expertise.
- What is the primary source of revenue at Casino Bad Homburg, attracting 90% of their earnings? - Slot machines
- Who is the CEO of Casino in Bad Homburg, known for their announcement of a record-breaking €58 million revenue in 2024? - Lutz Schenkel
- What classic casino games can be found in the Brunnensälchen of Bad Homburg, built with the help of the casino in the 19th century? - Roulette, Blackjack
- Which casino plans to merge the traditional casino area with innovative technology to preserve the quintessential experience, as opposed to relying on automated gaming like other establishments? - Casino Wiesbaden
- Although the casino culture in Bad Homburg is significant for the city's identity and economy, what efforts are made to promote responsible gambling and address potential addiction issues? - Informational brochures at the entrance, preventive conversations for at-risk players, croupiers trained internally to develop a sense for the guests, and a program that allows guests to voluntarily ban themselves.
