Operator News
Germany – Spielbank Berlin, Germany’s most modern casino, opens at Potsdamer Platz
By Phil - 2 May 2023
With a festive gala and international guests, Spielbank Berlin opened its main building at Potsdamer Platz after 12 months of core renovation.
A total of around 9,000 visitors came to explore the modernised Spielbank Berlin building and to challenge their luck at the gaming tables and machines.
Gerhard Wilhelm, spokesman for the management of Spielbank Berlin, said: “We are overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the guests and are pleased that we can finally open all our floors after the long renovation phase.”
Among the prominent guests were the two former Governing Mayors of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit and Michael Müller, who expressed their gratitude to Spielbank Berlin as an indispensable promoter of top-class, popular and disabled sports in the capital.
At the ceremonial opening of the Spielbank Berlin at Potsdamer Platz, a show star was not to be missed: The Blue Man Group thrilled the audience with its impressive and spectacular music and color show.
More than 70 trades were involved in this construction marathon, most of them companies from the Berlin-Brandenburg region. In Germany’s most modern casino, guests can try their luck on six floors (total area 8,500 square meters) at 40 gaming tables at roulette, touch bet, blackjack and poker as well as at 500 gaming machines of the latest generation.
During the renovation and expansion, sustainability was the top priority. The entire lighting has been converted to LED and thus contributes to substantial energy savings. A completely new cooling ceiling over 2,100 square meters with CFC-free refrigerants provides natural air conditioning. The media technology with 18 LED walls and a total area of 160 square meters and 103 displays with 75 or 65 inch diagonals also sets new standards. The displays will be played by the famous 3-D artist Marc Pantenburg.
Gerhard Wilhelm, Spokesman for the Management Board of Spielbank Berlin, said: “Sustainability and ESG criteria were our guiding principles in all our construction measures. Green electricity and renewable raw materials were used as well as certified and sustainable wood. In this respect, we are not only the most modern, but also the greenest casino in Germany.”
18 articulated lorries provided material that was installed, 180 kilometres of cable were laid and six levels with six escalators and two elevators were built to be completely barrier-free. 180,000 hours were required to complete the core renovation. 4,400 square meters of carpet were laid and the large crystal chandelier with a diameter of four meters, which extends over a length of 14 meters, weighs 1.2 tons alone. A total of 72 tons of statically relevant metal structures were installed.
Mr. Wilhelm added: “This masterpiece was achieved during ongoing operations. This was only possible thanks to precise construction logistics and constructive cooperation with the building administration in the Mitte district, for which I would like to express my sincere thanks.”
At the gala, numerous athletes from professional clubs, including 1st FC Union Berlin, Hertha BSC, Füchse Berlin, thanked Spielbank Berlin, which is considered one of the most important sports sponsors in the capital, for their support.
The former Governing Mayor of Berlin and member of the advisory board of Spielbank Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, added: “Spielbank Berlin has been a reliable partner of Berlin since its foundation and an indispensable promoter of top-class and popular sports in the capital. Without their financial commitment, the ISTAF, for example, would no longer exist. The advisory board, which includes Michael Müller, Gregor Gysi, Frank Steffel and Özcan Mutlu and myself, also supports many small associations and institutions such as the Help for the Homeless at Bahnhof Zoo, the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, the Frauenhaus Berlin and many others.”
Martin Seeber, Sports Director of ISTAF, paid tribute to Spielbank Berlin’s role as the saviour of the international sports festival: “The casino is a passionate, long-standing ISTAF facilitator who is committed to the values of sport with great enthusiasm. We look forward to continuing our cooperation.”
Paralympic gold medalist Elena Semechin was connected live from the training camp in the Sierra Nevada. She said: “Spielbank Berlin has been at my side as a strong partner and supporter from the very beginning. Together, we have already celebrated my biggest success so far at the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. With this support, for which I am very grateful, I can fully concentrate on my sporting achievements.”
With the opening of the new casino in the immediate vicinity of the Theater am Potsdamer Platz and the new shopping destination The Playce, another entertainment highlight with international appeal has been completed, which will ensure the attractiveness of Potsdamer Platz as a location for the future. This is the final building block for the redesign of Potsdamer Platz.
The history of Spielbank Berlin GmbH & Co. KG begins with its foundation in 1975, when a casino was established in West Berlin. The game began in the Europa-Center.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Spielbank Berlin had the opportunity to modernize and expand. In 1998 it moved to its current premises at Potsdamer Platz. Since then, Spielbank Berlin has operated four locations in the city: the main building at Potsdamer Platz and the casinos at the TV Tower, Ellipse Spandau and Kurfürstendamm 31. More than 700,000 guests visit Spielbank Berlin every year.
With more than 500 employees, Spielbank Berlin is one of the largest employers in its sector and is therefore an important economic factor in the region.
The reopening was celebrated over three days with free admission from Friday, April 28 from 15 p.m. to Sunday, April 30, 2023 and was accompanied by an entertainment program, numerous show acts, a large food court and special prize draws. As a highlight, guests can win a car on each of the three days. Furthermore, a well-filled safe can be cracked once. At the three-day opening party, numerous artists perform in walking acts, for example Charlie Chaplin, a music duo, pantomime and breakdancers, power acrobats or glowing stilt walkers.
