Operator News
Switzerland – Grand Casino Baden enjoys second consecutive year of growth
By Phil - 26 February 2019
With an increase in gross gaming revenue of 4.3 per cent to CHF 63.1m, Grand Casino Baden has secured its position in the top three revenue-generating Swiss casinos.
The casino increased its revenue for the second successive year following years of declines since 2012, thanks in some part to the introduction of the long-term House of Entertainment strategy introduced last year. Grand Casino Baden was further expanded with a mixture of games, events and gastronomy. Operating expenses were again reduced, which in total resulted in a significant increase in the overall result. By contrast, visitor numbers fell by 3.3 per cent, mainly due to the World Cup and the outstanding weather of last summer.
CEO Detlef Brose said: “After several difficult years, we have confirmed the turnaround of last year and once again significantly increased our business results.”
The casino should benefit from the new gaming law, which came into force on January 1, 2019, creating the long overdue legal basis for the expansion of existing casino licenses into the operation of online casinos.
According to current planning by the Federal Council, real money online casinos can be put into operation in Switzerland from mid-2019. In January, Grand Casino Baden submitted the necessary concession extension application in due time to the Swiss Federal Gaming Commission in Bern.
Mr. Brose added: “Should the Federal Council grant us the appropriate authorisation, we will launch an internationally competitive online casino for the Swiss market under the brand JackPots.ch. The Grand Casino Baden has operated the social casino ‘JackPots.ch’ since August 2017, and now has over 12,000 registered players. With the consistent expansion of our online know-how, the experience with our social casino, JackPots’ and the ongoing expansion of our guest club GrandWinners with currently 27,000 members, we are already very well prepared for the new online business area.”
Stadtcasino Baden AG holds a 45 per cent equity interest in Casino Davos AG. Consequently, an online license extension was submitted in January for this location as well. Casino Davos was also able to increase its GGR significantly by 13.2 per cent to CHF 1.8m last year.
