Competing gambling venues in Hessia, Germany, stake their claim in the thriving gambling industry.
Hittin' the Jackpot: Casino Bad Homburg Flourishes with 58 Million Euro Gaming Revenue in 2024Young and old are drawn to the casino, with over 650 visitors dailySlot machines rule the roost, while classic games barely make the cutCasino Wiesbaden keeps it classic
A Year to Remember for Casino Bad Homburg
The iconic Casino Homburg raked in a whopping €58 million in gross gaming revenue last year, a record-breaking achievement, as reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, citing figures from the German Press Agency. Lutz Schenkel, the casino's manager, sheds light on the casino's steady draw. Visitors span all age groups, with many youngsters dressing to impress and seeking the casino experience. Weekdays see around 650 visitors, while weekends often push the casino to capacity, catering to roughly 230 employees.
The casino's charm lies in its diverse offerings, with slot machines neck and neck with classic games such as roulette and blackjack in the historic Brunnensälchen area.
Casino Bad Homburg Drives the Restoration of the Spa House
In a unique deal, the casino will become the primary tenant and fund the renovation of the decaying spa house in Bad Homburg. Instead of relying on public funds, the city intends to cover most of the costs through the rental income generated by the François-Blanc Casino GmbH.
The plan is to tear down the outdated 80s spa house and replace it with a modern structure. The new building will provide the casino with additional space, accommodating approximately 50 more slot machines, potentially boosting annual revenues by €13 million. As early as the 19th century, the casino played an instrumental role in financing the original spa house. Now, history is repeating itself with the casino's move back into a refurbished spa house.
Casino Wiesbaden Stands Firm on Classic Gaming
Andreas Krautwald, Casino Wiesbaden's manager, advocates for preserving classic games. While many casinos have shifted solely to slot machine play, Casino Wiesburg, much like Casino Bad Homburg, maintains its focus on the classic gaming experience. In the city affectionately known as the "Nizza of the North," traditional casino areas will be conserved and merged with cutting-edge technology to thrive in a competitive gaming landscape.
Although classic games still retain significance and prestige, slot machines reign economically, with an estimated 90% of revenue coming from slot machines, leaving only 10% for classic table games. For Holger Reuter, Kurdirector, Casino Bad Homburg, a historically meaningful landmark for the city, Bad Homburg wouldn't be what it is without its casino.
Caring for the Players
The casinos are mindful of the issue of gambling addiction, providing informational brochures about problematic gambling at both Casino Bad Homburg and Wiesbaden. Suspect players may also benefit from proactive, voluntary self-exclusion options. Internal training ensures croupiers develop a keen sense for guests, and empathetic employees can identify at-risk players in a timely manner. Interestingly, croupiers in the classic game undergo internal training rather than formal education. They even get a chance to play themselves to get a feel for the guests, according to Schenkel.
Online gambling presents additional risks due to the anonymity factor, making early intervention more challenging.
The Ticktock for Casino Wiesbaden
While Casino Bad Homburg's license remains valid until 2037, the situation in Wiesbaden is more pressing: the license will lapse at the end of 2025. Discussions regarding the casino's successor are underway between the existing majority shareholder, Jahr + Achterfeld Gesellschaft, and gambling industry giant Novomatic. The city has also considered taking over the casino, but managing high startup capital and the lack of expertise present additional hurdles.
- The success of Casino Bad Homburg extends beyond its borders, setting gambling trends in Germany and attracting attention even in worldwide casino-and-gambling circles, particularly Las Vegas.
- As Casino Bad Homburg expands, casino-culture is expected to evolve, with the integration of onlinecasinos Germany and new casino-games. This could potentially see an increase in slot gains and a shift in the gambling-trends.
- The global gaming landscape marks a presence within Germany, with casino-personalities such as poker celebrities and roulette champions appearing at events hosted by both Casino Bad Homburg and Casino Wiesbaden.
- Responsible-gambling initiatives continue to be a focus not only for the government but also for the casinos themselves, with the implementation of measures like self-exclusion options and staff training to recognize at-risk players.
- The future of Casino Wiesbaden hinges on negotiations with the majority shareholder and gambling giants like Novomatic, as the current license nears its expiration date in 2025, raising speculation about the casino's future prospects and whether it will adapt to a more technologically-driven casino-and-gambling landscape.
