WILD GAME

The recent marriage between Accor and the barrier proves the market for casinos still excites financiers. Explanations

Slot machines, a means of making a fortune? No, not playing, you are naive! But the operator. For each of these devices – France has 16 400 – reported an average of over 150,000 euros per year to its proud owner. An authentic jackpot that explains why our casinotier out periodically heavy artillery. The latest example: last week, groups and Accor Casinos Barriere hedonist have to give birth to a new French number one plates and chips.

O touching the merger by exchange of securities! “After nine months of negotiations, we are approaching historic partners and friends,” exults Desseigne Dominica, the former lawyer and widower of Diane Barrier usufructuary of the family empire. Holding 51% of the new entity, this perfect jet-setter “that now appears on the arm of the Lebanese billionaire Mouna Ayoub in his home round giant Accor hotels (34% of the new group) and the fund Investment Colony Capital, a pro-American games (15%)

Of course, competition feigned indifference. At Partouche , the family group which previously dominated the industry, we mocked: “It is the marriage of carp and rabbit in the eye of American fox.” This merger makes no difference, “says, of Meanwhile, Philip Gasagne, the boss of Moliflor. But the operation may well accelerate the industry consolidation. For, despite the regulatory and economic tutelage of the state and local governments that have taken last year 55% of gross gaming revenue, the business of casinos is still dreaming financiers. “The casinos provide 15-20% return on investment. Their results continue to grow (note: 3% last year) even during the years of economic stagnation, “says Christian Rouyer, general delegate of the union casinos in France. The next operation? Georges Tranchant , former member of the RPR Hauts-de-Seine became condottiere slot machines in the 1990s, suggested to reporters that he would soon sell a dozen of its locations. Prior to retract: “It was a joke. I’m not really vendor and I would not know what to do with money! “More troubling: according to our sources, Isidore Partouche himself, the man who built an empire of slot machines in thirty years, have conducted negotiations with two pools of investment funds to sell all or part of its strong group in debt. A tool that former radio officer in Algiers denies vehemently – “I prefer to play alone in my corner” – but that we maintain.

Partouche against the rest of the world! The battle began two years ago. At the time, Accor is looking to move up a gear by launching a takeover bid for the European casinos, the group built by Andrew Der Krikorian. But the landlord finds a bone: Partouche , piqued, outbid twice. Instead of 52 euros per share originally offered, it will carry the case to 66.5 euros per share … a boon for the family Krikorian. Today, Accor reply by Casino Barriere common with his partner of fifteen years. But at whose initiative? “It was I who had the idea of ??this marriage which simplifies the structure of my group,” says Dominique Desseigne in Barriere. Not so sure, because according to Alain Maillot, the faithful counsel, but rather the investment fund Colony Capital, which already owns 50% of Accor Casinos, who convinced the two former rivals uniting. “Everyone was interested in what the deal is done,” says Sébastien Bazin, head of Colony Capital in Europe. With very deep pockets, this investment fund associated with Eurazeo (Lazard), which grants a shareholder loan of 100 million euros in the new group has an option to sell its share, exercisable between 2007 and 2010. Objective: To pocket a nice capital gain arising from the savings achieved by the new CEO, Sven Boinet, a former Accor chosen by Dominique Desseigne … but also permits new slot machine generously distributed by the Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy: the French fleet has jumped 10% in one year. One thing is sure: the next three to five years, the recipient of the “ticket” will be Accor Colony. The Titan hotel has a call option allowing it to rise to 49% of the group Lucien Barriere . “But beware, I will always the majority, I promised to pass on to my children,” warns Dominique Desseigne, the new chairman of the supervisory board, which already introduces Alexander (17 years) and Joy (11 years) to the mysteries family group.

Meanwhile, the maneuvers have started to pick up the few open concessions in France. In Toulouse, the tender, set aside the first time by an action group Tranchant , should lead to early July. But the wish of the municipality UMP create “an upscale casino, features a gourmet restaurant and an auditorium with 1000 seats, could benefit the group Lucien Barrière already operates via Accor’s casino Bordeaux. In Lille, however, Gates seems worse off. It Partouche who is favorite to create, according to the wishes of Martine Aubry, a “popular casino” in the heart of the district Euralille. Especially since the group Mr. Isidore, which controls several institutions in the region, already sponsors the football club Lille Olympique … “Nah! Not sure that’s enough. In Le Havre, too, have supported the football club, and it did not prevent Partouche to win the concession, “retorted one at Barrier, which has since ceased to fund the unfortunate Havre Athletic Club.

Fortunately, there is Europe. After the bidding for the casino to Brussels casinotier lights guignent gaming establishments Austrian and Dutch soon privatized. “We have the know-how” swear Christian Rouyer Casinos de France. But the game will be more difficult in Britain, where the industry is undergoing deregulation. “We are still small compared to large groups, Anglo-Saxon,” admits Dominique Desseigne. For drilling, it will form alliances, raise mountains of cash … In short, the financiers are not ready to move away from the green carpet.

The Barrier Group : identity file
After the merger with Accor Casinos, the new French number one table games and machines (1 billion euros of turnover) control 38 establishments (Enghien, Nice, Cannes Croisette …), 13 luxury hotels and 57 restaurants including Le Fouquet’s. Desseigne Dominique (left) chairs the supervisory board.

A fund glutton
Hotels and residences for American executives, casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, hundreds of thousands of square meters of offices in Southeast Asia and China and the Costa Smeralda, formerly owned by the Aga Khan Sardinia: the listing of Heritage Colony Capital is breathtaking. In twelve years, this investment fund created by the businessman of Lebanese descent Thomas Barrack has already invested 10 billion dollars! “It’s basically money that U.S. pension funds entrusted to us,” said Sebastien Bazin, head of the European branch which has just 15% of group Lucien Barriere . But beware, Colony, which provides operating from Delaware, U.S. State tax lenient, does not want to be mistaken for one of those “greedy funds” which are remunerated in the butchering business in difficulty. “Our investments have a maturity of ten years. We are genuine traders in industrial real estate, hospitality and gaming, “says Sébastien Bazin. Colony Capital intends to expand operations in Europe, and particularly in France, where Tom Barrack is a long time owner. Main target: the Parisian real estate professional, “a more buoyant market today as London ….”

“Gambling addiction is a drug”
At the initiative of two doctors, a sociologist and a lawyer, an Observatory games began in December. He is interested in all forms of gambling (money, video) to better understand and prevent addictions. Marmottan psychiatrist at the hospital (Paris), addictive behavior specialist, Dr. Marc Valleur is one of the founders.

The game can cause a real addiction, just like drugs?

Yes, but it is one of the least hard. It is described in medical textbooks for a very long time and considered a disease. Dependence appears when the game becomes the center of existence at the expense of emotional and social investments. The subject tries to control or stop, but can not.

What is known about the number of players in France?

Past ten years have seen an extraordinary increase in the supply of game, especially with the slot machines in casinos. To fight against this competition, the PMU is developing the ‘race by race “live and French games, scratch cards, which she calls games pulse. All are potentially very addictive. `For the state, that, as far as the budget of the Ministry of Culture.

The number of players hooked is up, too?

United States, 1-3% of the population is dependent on the game, several million people. With dire consequences: 80% of depression, nearly 20% of crime to obtain money, checks, over-indebtedness … France play less, but it is now catching up. Psychiatrists and psychologists are seeing a rise in requests for assistance from gamblers, persons indebted, depression.

And video game addiction?

In our consultations over the past two years, it has many applications to problems of abuse or addiction to video games on the Internet network. They are mostly aged 15-25, who play two major game types: the first is “SPF”, “pay first shooter, shooting games where one is represented by an arm holding a weapon. It moves in a scene in three dimensions, there are enemies, etc.. Some young people can play eight to ten hours a day to be champions. The second form is the “adventure game in persistent universe.” The player is represented by a character who will gain the skill As adventures. Players join forces, are ranked guilds. These are very exciting games in the universe that never stops.

For you, it’s pure entertainment that does nothing?

Not at all. These games are quite interesting, useful, psychologically and socially. Even gambling, which is often very stupid press buttons slots! : It allows you to dream, to imagine that is a billionaire, one confronts the destiny. The action games are not very developed, but it takes a terrible concentration, reflexes extraordinary. It’s very mature for children, adolescents. They can channel aggression. Everyone does not agree, but I think the real danger of video games is not violence: it is used as auxiliary parents, babysitters …

What to do with the child who spends much time in front of his computer?

It should throw an occasional look to see what he does, talk to him, play a little. We have recently seen people who thought the kid was in the process of becoming a computer because he spent all his nights in front of it! If they play six hours a day, but it is nice, always comes to meals, share the weekend, receiving friends and is good at school, we will not forbid him to force the game watching TV!

What is the risk of becoming addicted to gambling?

The worst misfortune that can happen is to win the jackpot the first time we go to the casino. There, the irrational at once to the top: I am elected by luck, God put his finger on me, I’m different from others … It’s annoying, because the person will try to regain that feeling like an addict with his first flash hovering heroin. But most French people are not really believe. Lotto, many buy their cards, to dream what they would do with the millions, and once the film is made in their head, the game has served its purpose. They do not need to see the result …

You have now created a Centre of the game: What will he serve?

Initially, it will bring together expertise: psychiatrists, psychologists, historians, mathematicians, lawyers. Then, the state should create an independent body to observe the practices fun, offer good behavior, make the information on epidemiological surveys boost dependencies. Our bylaws provide that, upon what will happen, our association will be dissolved within three days.

The Company Fermiere Casino Municipal de Cannes announces a 3.6% decline in sales volume to 107.9 million euros. Turnover fell by 5.1% to 74.9 ME and operating profit declined by 25.5% to 4.1 ME. Net income Group share reached fair balance and is void. The cash flow increased 3.1% to 6.7 ME. The hotel business declined by 7.2% due to the disaffection of foreign clients and secondly the summer heatwave and fires. The activity of the game is slightly down by 0.9% due to increased competition in the field of slot machines has been partly offset by the introduction of higher denominations machines and machinery at 20 cents Euro expanding the possibilities of games. Conversely, the sector table games revenues increased 14% thanks to commercial efforts.

The group said that thanks to a policy of cost reduction, the group SFC MC has managed to limit the impact on the operating result of lower sales. The Company believes that increasing the stock of slot machines on the city of Cannes is no reason to anticipate modest growth in 2004 games. In the hotel segment, the group anticipates a return to the second half of 2004.

The SFC TM in 2003 suffered the effects of tourism crisis. The turnover of the group (Casino Croisette, the Majestic Barrière and the Gray d’Albion Villa des Lys) fell 5.1% to 74.9 million. For 2004, no improvement in sight until the second half.

Bad time for the group CFS ™ (Company Farmer of the Municipal Casino in Cannes), which recently published annual accounts clearly behind. This group brings together the Casino Municipal de Cannes and its 290 slot machines, and two luxury hotels in Cannes (the Majestic Barrière and the Gray d’Albion) and a gourmet restaurant (La Villa des Lys) has been hit hard by the air pocket in 2003 has been the tourism industry. Thus, the turnover for the year ended October 31, 2003 decreased 5.1% from 78.9 million in 2002 to 74.9 million euros in 2003.

The hotel industry has suffered the most: -7.2%

The group explains this poor performance by an economic and geopolitical climate that has exceptionally weighed heavily on all of its games business and hotels. But it is the hotel industry which has suffered most. It fell 7.2%, reflecting the one hand, the disaffection of the foreign clientele, American in particular (euro / dollar and adverse geopolitical environment), and, secondly, the summer heatwave and fires.

The games, themselves, were more resilient and have shown a slight decline (-0.9%). The group explains this by the fact that “increased competition in the slot was partially offset by the introduction of higher denominations machines and slot 20c Euro thus enlarging the possibilities of games.” Strangely the games industry for years that shrinks the “bandits”, has registered an increase of 14%. That, for CFS MC thanks in particular to commercial efforts.

Princes Gate Casino will open at the Noga Hilton

For 2004, the group SFC TM Expands games Cannes. Indeed he won last year’s tender for the concession of the third casino in Cannes for a duration of 18 years. Casino Barrière Les Princes, located within the hotel Noga Hilton, scheduled to open in March 2004.

This however should not resume the activity in 2004. First Park slot machines has widened over the city of Cannes with the Palm Beach who won last summer MAS 50 extra (it has doubled its number of MAS). Hence, increased competition in the MAS, while in the first Casino Barrière Les Princes only uses only traditional games. These combined elements will allow the group to provide modest growth in 2004 games. In the hotel segment, the recovery is not expected until the second half of 2004.

Outside the spectacular fusion-Barrière-Accor Colony

As the spectacular merger agreement between the Barrier Group , Accor and Colony Casino, partnership giving birth to the European leader in casinos, to the rival Partouche , he does not SFC MC. The latter, controlled 65.2% by the Group Barrier in which the Group Partouche has an interest of 15.54%, was excluded from the scope of the agreement.

An exclusion that analysts have attributed to a difference of opinion about its value and risks that the proposed new casino launched by Barrier might run short-term profitability. However, it was expected that the SFC MC benefit of the technical assistance of the future Group Lucien Barriere .

Revenues from casinos in Windsor and Niagara fell $ 160 million last year and slots parlors have also made less profit.

Only CasinoRama maintains its popularity.

Leaders of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation blamed SARS delays at the Canada-US border and the blackout last August to lower attendance rates of the two casinos.

According to the Economic Development Minister Joe Cordiano, opening a new casino in Niagara Falls in the spring, will test the market.

(Reuters) – Groupe Partouche has achieved a turnover of 2002/2003 to 435.7 million euros, up 17.1% over the previous year but unchanged from Pro forma accounts 2001/2002. Operating profit reached 94.3 million euros, up 13.8% compared to last year (82.9 million).

This stability of the activity in a context generally unfavorable linked both to the economic downturn and international tourism and also the effect of the new taxation of Gross Gaming, which occurred in May 2002, and has impacted the entire financial year 2002/2003.

The activity of 2004 should benefit from a recently authorized the reopening of the casino in Port Barcarès and the expected opening of 6 casinos (La Trinité-sur-Mer, Le Havre, Nice, Port-la- New, Saint-Cast-le-Guildo Tremblade and La), and secondly, an extension of the Park slot machines in France. Group Partouche also participates in various tenders, especially those of Toulouse, Lille and Brussels Blotzheim.

The group Emerald , who had been detained, is always up for the concession of the future casino Blonville, the small seaside resort which wants to end the recurrent flooding of the marshes through major renovation work to improve drainage to the sea

After the death of Pierre Le Foll, a doubt would have settled on opening a casino in the group Blonville Emerald he directed. It will not happen. “The new leadership has assured us that the group maintained its project” slice Pierre Letellier Blonville mayor, who had another meeting on this issue with Pierre Le Foll, before his sudden disappearance. Blonville looked forward to a gaming establishment to increase its revenue. “With 27 000 €, the tax is a tiny tax income of € 721 000,” says the mayor. But it will wait a bit to see the casino out of land over 1 hectare in the location of the football field. We need a green light from authorities including the Ministry of the Interior “at the opening, we have the ball before hoping slot machines next year. Another benefit of the casino: it will include a theater and entertainment that will release the film on the ground floor of City Hall in 1932. “The council offices are upstairs. This raises issues of access for the elderly and disabled, “says the mayor. “We also expect the casino an animation in which we can not spend € 23 000 today. Fireworks and that’s it … ”

Become Owner

To exist between the tourist center of Trouville-Deauville very hard on one side and the dynamism of Villers other, Blonville seeking to grow by welcoming new residents by building new housing estates, “Since 1990, the town has seen its population increase by 25%. But we do not want to go too far. A subdivision of 80 lots near the station was sold in less than three years. Residence Le Trianon added 130 units secondary. New residents a year come from all over the Côte Fleurie to become owners “40 houses were recently completed. ”

These buildings are now possible thanks to a big construction site storm water drainage to the sea “The line was far too small. The discharge capacity was multiplied by ten. ”

The BLONVILLE hope to finish with the recurrent flooding of the marshes. A second tranche will be undertaken this year Marcelle Street-Bean (lift station) and in the neighborhoods of the Pre-Holly and Train Station. Blonville will then undertake a walking path for pedestrians and riders to Villers “like a hyphen” between the two neighboring stations that get along well. Another project with the help of the region: the renovation of the small station on the holiday Deauville Cabourg.

Roger Bornand collects “bandits” for forty years. The casino? “A fascinating and a bit sensual.” Yet, he recently decided to sell to the highest bidder.

To examine them, we say that ingenuity is ageless. Treachery or, rather, as it takes to design slot machines capable of stirring the lust of one while feeding the coffers of others. The first “armed bandits” – their name comes from the fact that has to be an arm to rotate the rolls – dating from the late nineteenth century. And it is precisely this period that the oldest pieces in the collection of Roger Bornand, a lover of old Montreux advertising slots. Its treasures are also exposed to the Casino Barrière de Montreux, until mid-February.

“I acquired my first piece there is some forty years, the flea market at Portobello in London,” recalls there. A lightning strike to explain the splendid body of the unit, topped by a nice little Indian bust. “It’s the same interest that you would fall in love with a Cadillac in the 1950s, Roger Bornand analysis, whose collection now has nearly fifty machines, machines for the most part.

Collectors of slot machines – there is no generic term in French – are not legion in Europe.

A whole history

There would be a dozen in France and Roger Bornand passes himself to be probably the only representative of this rare species in Switzerland. “The most interesting aspect of such a passion is the history conveyed by these machines. Some evoke the prohibition and Al Capone, other one imagines that generations of players have broken teeth. This is a fascinating and a little too sensual, “says the collector. But all good things come to an end and the Montreux admits having a little tired of the congestion created by his hobby. “There is a time for everything and I have no heirs interested in my collection. Notice therefore to fans: I am willing to sell the whole block, “Roger Bornand breath. At what price? We do not know, even if the person admits having bought his most beautiful model – a machine in 1897 – at a price of 25,000 francs.

BERN – Swiss Casinos have achieved a turnover of 561 million francs in 2003. Compared to 2002, this represents an increase of about 260 million. The AVS and the cantons enjoy some of this windfall.

The federal commission on gambling shows that taxes which are imposed should relate to the first 223 million and 37 million in the second. Higher than expected for most operators, the 2003 revenue is composed of 72.2% (405 million francs) in revenue from automata. The rest is put into the account table games.

Switzerland currently has seven major casinos (concessions) – including one in western Switzerland in Montreux (VD) – and thirteen Kursaal (B concessions). A fourteenth kursaal must be born in Engelberg (OW).

With entertainment, wine tasting evenings, its dinner shows, exhibitions, games rooms and 15 new slot machines, casino Santenay placed on communication in all directions.

Parking at the gambling establishment is crowded. The long line of cars parked on the side of the road in front of the imposing edifice of Santenay Casino in Gold Coast reflects the large flow of traffic to the facility. It is barely 15 hours on Friday and already fifteen new slot machines arrived in January in Las Vegas, Australia and Austria spit euros. “It saves an average of 600 customers each day is scheduled the week and the load is high at the weekend, the record is pretty good” comments, serene, the general manager, Didier Maurel. Bought in 2001 by the group that owns twenty Moliflor Casinos in France, French fourth group, the Casino de Santenay with the acquisition of fifteen new slot machines and eight months in the completion of interior work, estimated to have a head start on its new competitor Saone-et-loirien of Bourbon-Lancy, private for the time slot.

Alice, 88 years his pieces slip twenty cents in a new model of slot machine called “Lucky in Love.” “It makes it a distraction and she’s happy, she has won twenty euros! “Said one of her friends Montceau that accompanies it. “We were not returned from work that ended in April 2003. It’s fun and it passes the time but be careful not to swallow everything, there are those who can afford to buy their bread with the vice of gambling! “Adds the player one day. Her husband, his hands behind his back he said that he hand scan card games.

A few meters from Alice, near the bar, Edith Guyot, responsible dumarketing honed his seating plan for the evening-tasting flavors of the region on Friday organized with the participation of wineries in the region. “They grow much food, a new way to attract new customers, we want the establishment to become a destination in itself for dinner or come and play at the bar listening to music, we want to position themselves in niche Evening relaxation, leisure activity “. A young couple enters the precincts of the games, cups of pieces under his arm. “We have more and more young people discover the Casino”.

Dinner show menu for Valentine’s Day “is full arch”, exhibition of paintings, fashion, Casino multiplied by contacting various animations to works councils, associations, bus companies. Eighty employees cons “forty-nine to the handover of power” three years ago are living here, where the temptation to make money is still the mantra of the customers.

Where sometimes the dream and the chance to meet like this for future retiree from Dijon to just three months of maturity who pocketed the Jackpot 105 000 euros.