Swinging Aces: The Gaming Boom of Casino Bad Homburg
Competing Gambling Venues Operating in Hessia's Gambling Industry
By Yannick Schroth, Edited by Angela Burke, Published on: 06.05.2025, Updated on: 15.05.2025.
- Casino Bad Homburg Outshines the Competition with a Gross Gaming Revenue of 58 Million EUR in 2024
- Classic Games and Slots Coexist in Balance; Barely 10% of Revenue Comes from Classic Table Games
- Casino Wiesbaden Embraces the Classics and Modern Flair
Record-Breaking Revenue in 2024
The famed Casino in Bad Homburg set new records in 2024, notching up a gross gaming revenue of 58 million EUR, as reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung via the German Press Agency.
Spearheading the charge is Manager Lutz Schenkel, who emphasized the casino's appeal to various age groups. He noted that young people, often dressed to impress, constitute a significant portion of the clientele. An average weekday sees approximately 650 visitors while weekends can easily reach capacity, with a staff of around 230 on hand to manage the flow.
The casino's allure lies in its diverse offerings, which include slot machine halls along with classic games such as roulette and blackjack in the historic Brunnensälchen.
Casino Bad Homburg and the Revival of the Spa House
In Bad Homburg, a historic trickle-down effect is underway: The casino is set to lease the property and fund the renovation of the dilapidated spa house. Instead of relying on public funds, the city plans to almost entirely cover the project with rental income from the François-Blanc Casino GmbH.
The proposed design centers around demolition and reconstruction rather than renovating the aging 1980s structure, which is both outdated and poses safety concerns. The new building, geared to offer the casino more space, will accommodate room for around 50 additional slot machines. This expansion could potentially increase annual revenues by some 13 million EUR.
Bringing the casino back into a modern spa house replicates a tradition dating back to the 19th century.
Classic Games and Slot Machines: A Balancing Act
According to Andreas Krautwald, head of the Casino Wiesbaden, a commitment to classic games forms part of a strategic decision:
While many German casinos have shifted towards slot machine gaming exclusivity, both Casino Bad Homburg and Casino Wiesbaden remain dedicated to the classic gaming experience.
In Wiesbaden, known colloquially as the "Nice of the North," the aim is to preserve the traditional casino area while integrating modern technology, ensuring competitiveness in a fast-evolving market landscape.
Although classic games still hold their prestige and import, slot machines are the clear revenue leaders for Bad Homburg, accounting for roughly 90% of the income, with only 10% generated from classic table games.
For director Holger Reuter, the Casino Bad Homburg, founded by businessman François Blanc in 1841, is pivotal for the city's image and economic development:
Bad Homburg wouldn't be what it is without its casino.- Holger Reuter, Director, Süddeutsche Zeitung
Despite its success, the casino remains mindful of gambling addiction issues. Informative brochures about compulsive gambling warning signs are available at the entrance, and guests receiving concerning behavior are offered preventive conversations. Strikingly, some visitors even choose to self-ban, by Lutz Schenkel's account.
Internal croupier training allows staff to better understand guests, including sending them to play themselves to develop an instinct for player behaviors. Schenkel contends that online casinos pose a greater risk as anonymity hinders early intervention efforts.
Wiesbaden's Casino License Up for Renewal
While the license in Bad Homburg extends until 2037, Wiesbaden faces an imminent decision: The license expires at the end of 2025. The municipality has initiated the licensing renewal process, aiming for a summer 2025 completion to ensure a smooth transition.
Recent rumors involved gaming giant Novomatic in talks to take over the current majority shareholder Jahr + Achterfeld Gesellschaft. Additionally, the city has considered self-operating the casino but has grappled with challenges such as the need for substantial start-up capital and lack of industry expertise.
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