Operator News
France – Barrière says July decline in France was minimal
By Phil - 24 August 2020
Eric Cavillon, CEO of Barrière casinos, has said that having reopened casinos in June, the month of July saw a small decline compared to July 2019.
“The average expenditure per customer has returned to what it should be, or even a little lower than before,” he said. “And we have an attendance which is still very fragile at four per cent down in July. Above all, we have suffered from our flagship casino in Enghien,” where, he added, the Ile-de-France residents have gone on vacation.
“The reality of things will catch up with us in September,” continued Mr. Cavillon. What about the looming economic crisis, which inevitably has an impact on our business as it does many others? We do not yet know what will happen in autumn. We are focusing on being prudent, humility and indeed a decrease in investments, or rather only spending on very targeted investments with immediate returns.”
He has has not ruled out the possibility of government intervention to support the sector. “What we are asking for,” he said, “may be regulatory changes that will allow us to go a little faster in rebuilding our turnover. And the government is well aware of this, since we are in permanent contact with the ministries on this subject.”
