Operator News
Austria – Gauselmann and Grand Casino Baden want slice of Vienna
By Phil - 18 June 2013
The Germany-based Gauselmann group is teaming up with the operators of the Grand Casino Baden in Switzerland to bid for the right to operate a new casino in Vienna’s esteemed Palais Schwarzenberg.
Three new licences are up for grabs in Vienna and Lower Austria and are being contested by operators including Casinos Austria, Novomatic and Century Casinos.
Gauselmann and Baden confirmed they have secured the use of the Palais Schwarzenberg, located next to the Swiss embassy and Belvedere Castle, in the 3rd District of Vienna.
Grand Casino Baden CEO Detlef Brose said: “It is time that this great baroque building from the 18th Century was accessible to the public again. Whilst it is ultimately the Austrian Minister of Finance who will decide, I think this is a very good offer for a Grand Casino, which would more than earn its name and be an asset to the city of Vienna. We are sure this project will receive a lot of publicity.”
The Gauselmann Group holds one-third of the shares in the new company, Plaza 3 Entertainment Development AG with the remaining two thirds owned by Casino Baden AG. The casino would boast a large range of table games including poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat in its various gaming rooms, whilst the slot hall would house 290 slots.
The group will invest CHF60m into the project and expect 300,000 visitors per year, generating revenues of CHF 33m.
