Operator News

Germany – Casino Bad Neuenahr rules out ever returning to old venue with opening of new site pitched at Spring 2023

By Phil - 24 October 2022

Following the devastating summer floods in the German city of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler in the summer of 2021, Casino Bad Neuenahr has now confirmed that it won’t be able to open its new location at the train station until Spring next year.

The casino had signed an agreement with the Ministry of the Interior and the city of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler to open the temporary casino for an initial period of three years.

Speaking to Germany new site ISA, Michael Seegert, Managing Director of Spielbank Bad Neuenahr, said: “Actually, it was our goal to open in 2022. But in recent months, we have also had to learn how much external influences and the difficult reconstruction in the Ahr Valley are significantly affecting our ambitious schedule. Delivery delays and bottlenecks of experts, materials and equipment as well as the intensification of the economic and energy crisis are leaving their mark, so that realistically speaking, the opening of our new location in the historic station building in Bad Neuenahr will not be possible until spring 2023.”

The historic building from 1879 was completely gutted by the new owner after it was acquired from Deutsche Bahn and all the building services installations were renewed. The imposing and listed building is located outside of the flood area in a central and attractive location and has excellent bus and train connections. The city of Bad Neuenahr will provide the casino with guest parking spaces, and there are also sufficient parking spaces in the immediate vicinity.

The casino intends to start in the station with two American roulette tables, two blackjack tables and around 80 slot machines. 

Mr. Seegert added: “Due to the numerous uncertainties that can influence the date of the opening, this has not yet been decided. We would like to organize a concrete celebration for the opening. As serious entrepreneurs, we bear responsibility for guests and employees, so there can be no return to the old location in the Kurhaus, which is located directly on the Ahr, as the risk of another flood catastrophe is unmanageable from our point of view and therefore unacceptable. Also for insurance reasons, a return to the Kurhaus is ruled out. Anyone who has seen the incredible extent of the destruction in the Kurhaus will accept this decision unreservedly.”

Due to the complete destruction of the offers in the Kurhaus, the new venue will open with a completely new range of machines in the new location.