Competing Gambling Venues in Hessia Contend for Dominance in the Gambling Sector
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Hittin' the Jackpot: Casino Bad Homburg's 2024 Victory
By Yannick Schroth, Editor: Angela Burke
In a staggering triumph for the traditional Casino in Bad Homburg, the establishment reported a whopping €58 million in gross gaming revenue in 2024, marking its most successful year ever, as stated in a report by Süddeutsche Zeitung, citing a press release from the German Press Agency.
CEO Lutz Schenkel shared that the casino attracts a vibrant array of visitors across all age groups, with many younger folks embracing the casino scene in style. An average weekday sees around 650 visitors, while weekends often max out the capacity. Currently, approximately 230 employees work tirelessly to cater to the demand.
The casino's winning formula lies in its varied offerings, including the slot machine haven, coupled with classic games such as roulette and blackjack in the historic Brunnensälchen.
Renovating the Old, Embracing the New: Bad Homburg's New Kurhaus
An exciting deal is on the horizon in Bad Homburg, as the casino is slated to become the main lessee, financing the much-needed renovation of the dilapidated Kurhaus. Instead of relying on public funds, the city aims to almost entirely fund the project using the lease income from François-Blanc-Casino GmbH.
The plan: tear down the outdated 1980s Kurhaus and replace it with a modern building, giving the casino more space for an additional 50 slot machines, potentially boosting annual revenues by around €13 million.
Investing in a new Kurhaus isn't entirely unprecedented—the casino played a pivotal role in financing the original Kurhaus in the 19th century, and now history has the opportunity to repeat itself as the casino moves back into a revitalized establishment.
Classic vs. Modern: Casino Wiesbaden's Position
Casino Wiesbaden's CEO, Andreas Krautwald, emphasizes the importance of maintaining classic games, despite many casinos opting for automated gaming. The city, affectionately known as the "Nizza of the North," seeks to preserve its traditional casino area, blending it effortlessly with modern technology to keep pace with the evolving gaming market.
Interestingly, while classic games retain their prestige and importance, slot machines dominate in terms of revenue, accounting for around 90% of Casino Bad Homburg's turnover, with only 10% coming from classic table games.
For Kurdirector Holger Reuter, the Casino Bad Homburg, founded in 1841 by businessman François Blanc, is essential for the city's identity and economic growth:
Bad Homburg wouldn't be what it is without its casino.- Holger Reuter, Kurdirector, Süddeutsche Zeitung
Despite its resounding success, the casino remains mindful of gambling addiction concerns. Informational brochures about compulsive gambling are available at the casino entrance, and preventive conversation offers are extended to guests exhibiting problematic behavior. Some visitors even voluntarily ban themselves.
The friendly atmosphere within the casino allows staff members to recognize potentially at-risk players. Remarkably, croupiers in the classic game do not undergo formal training but are instead trained internally and given the opportunity to learn from the guests themselves, as shared by Schenkel. Online offers, in Schenkel's opinion, pose a greater risk due to their anonymity, making early intervention more challenging.
The Clock is Ticking: Casino Wiesbaden's License Renewal
In contrast to Bad Homburg's long-term license valid until 2037, the situation in Wiesbaden is urgent: The license there is set to expire at the end of 2025. The city administration has already initiated the re-tendering process, aiming to complete it by summer 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.
Gambling giant Novomatic and the year + Achterfeld Gesellschaft have been in discussions to take over as the new majority shareholder in Wiesbaden. The city has also contemplated operating the casino itself but faces challenges such as high start-up capital and lack of expertise.
- Online casinos in Germany, such as those in Bad Homburg and Wiesbaden, are increasingly drawing attention with their successful operations.
- In Bad Homburg, the average weekly visitor count is around 650 during weekdays, and this figure skyrockets on weekends.
- H2 2025 marks an important date for Casino Wiesbaden as their license is scheduled to expire, triggering discussions about renewal and potential new ownership.
- Kurdirector, Holger Reuter, views the Casino Bad Homburg as a vital part of the city's identity and prosperity.
- Casinos like Bad Homburg and Wiesbaden boast a variety of games, with slots and classic games like poker, blackjack, and roulette being popular choices among players.
- The casino culture in Germany, as represented by figures like Kurdirector and casino-personalities, balances historical charm with modern trends in the casino-and-gambling industry.
