Supplier News
Spain – Catalan Casinos up for the first time since 2007
By Phil - 20 December 2016
Net income for the casinos operating in Catalonia stood at €93,231,055 in 2015, 13 per cent more than in 2014, according to data released by the Department of the Vice Presidency and the Economy of the The Government of Catalonia.
It is the first time that income has been on the rise since the crisis hit Spain in 2007. In 2007 it stood at €134,000,000. In 2008 net income stood at €121,100,000. It declined to €107,700,000 in 2009, €94,700,000 in 2010, €91,800,000 in 2011, €84,100,000 in 2012, €83,685,089 in 2013 and €82,560,000 in 2014.
The government has attributed the growth to the economic recovery in the area, which has led to customers betting larger amounts, and an increase in visitor numbers due to the tourism industry which is also showing signs of growth.
Data shows that from 2014 to 2015 visitor numbers increased by 11.7 per cent (from 1,359,904 to 1,519,176). Meanwhile the amounts bet increased by 12.7 per cent from 2014 to 2015 from €394,000.000 (€53.33 por inhabitant) to €444,091,333 (€59.98 per inhabitant). It is the second time that they have increased since the beginning of the economic crisis (they also increased by 1.3 per cent from 2012 to 2013). From the total of €93,231,055 in 2015, €48,005,944 came from slot machines, €39,035,306, came from table games while a total of €6,189,805, and was generated via entrance fees and tips.
According to the latest statistics released by the government in 2015 there were 43 bingo halls and 126 slot parlours in the Catalonia. The number of slot machines, including those located in bars and restaurants, stood at 38,752 as of March this year.
News of increasing revenues comes at what could well prove to be a time of continued and significant growth for the gaming industry in the region. In July Vice President of Catalonia Oriol Junqueras told parliament that casino generated revenue will double once the new version of BCN World is up and running.
Gaming generated tax revenue will increase from €22.5m to €45m despite the fact that BNC World will now only be allowed to house one to two casinos he said.
Currently there are four casinos in Catalonia and one or two more large scale casinos will be part of the newly established Tourist and Recreation Complex (CRT) as the project in Vila-seca as Salou is now provisionally known. Both Melco and Hard Rock are competing to operate a casino each while the Peralada Group in partnership with the Genting Group are also competing to be the sole operator and would run a single large scale casino in the resort.
