Gauselmann-owned Merkur Gaming is opening its third “Spielbank” in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt under the Merkur Spielbanken Sachsan-Anhalt brand.
Located in the town of Halle in the premises of a former casino, the new project has been pitched as one of Europe’s most modern casinos, and will entirely consist of gaming machines and electronic table games such as roulette and blackjack.
According to the company, the 800-sqm premises will operate on a casual dress code, replacing the traditional suit-and-tie entry policy. There will be 85 latest-generation slot machines – including many current Gauselmann products – spread across a 340-square- metre gaming floor.
The Halle “Spielbank” will be the third casino of its kind in Saxony-Anhalt. Merkur has already opened casinos in Magdeburg and Leuna-Günthersdorf under the Spielbank brand – both housed in historic, listed premises – with an investment of E16m. The current project will herald a further investment of €4.5m for the company.
“Operating casinos in Germany can be tough, which is why we are proud that we are breaking away from this trend with Merkur Spielbanken Sachsen-Anhalt,” commented David Schnabel, managing director of Merkur Spielbanken Sachsen-Anhalt.
Attributing the casinos’ success to Merkur’s well-trained staff, Schnabel added that a range of modern systems, such as the latest ticketing systems and payout terminals, had “revolutionised the casino’s processes”.
“The ambience, too, is part of what helps their casinos stand out,” he added.
