Interlaken (BE) The highest officer emptied the parking meters. And spun at the casino to launder 295 733 francs in change! Fired, he resorts to no avail until his trial.

The Director of Casino Interlaken first hosted the local police chief proudly within its walls. But the malaise has settled over the months between June 2000 and February 2002. Reason: the player was betting big, but only drawing small change in a banana. Counters do not lie: he got to play policeman to 860 pieces of 2 francs in twenty minutes! The same day the head indelicate again played 590 1 franc coins in fifteen minutes. At this game, its earnings were $ 99 680 francs in twenty months, three times the bet. And where could come as many parts, if not time stamps? The suspicion has been forwarded to the federal police, under “money laundering” …

The investigation opened by a judge Oberland prompted local authorities to appoint a trustee to control the income from parking meters. Result: some samples appeared nowhere in the communal accounts! Theft by business totaled 295,733 francs and 25 centimes, and the penalty was split: the judge include the police chief in court and the local executive has dismissed the elected indelicate.

Like justice has not yet decided, the former police chief has challenged his dismissal before the Administrative Tribunal Oberland. It does not endorse the whole amount on his back. But his appeal was scanned and the sanction of the authorities were justified on these grounds: the defendant did not appear more credible to police as those of citizens, and his dismissal has been decided that when any non-place has been rejected.

Finally and most importantly, the defendant faces overwhelming evidence. The manager of a snack has often been remarked that the police chief came from an official car to empty parking meters before 6 o’clock in the morning! A postal employee also told how the policeman exchanged small change cons of large denominations once a week! And the coin rolls were wrapped in paper bearing the letterhead of the Interlaken Police …

Confirmed growth. What should we think of the figures just released by the group Partouche ? Difficult to see clearly again, at first glance because of the change in scope operated by the group since the acquisition of the European Casino. In looking more closely, the figures are quite good, displaying the group for the last quarter of its financial year 2002/2003 a turnover of 113.9 million euros, up 3.5% yoy . Over the full year, the gross gaming revenue reached 722 and ME, materializing a growth of 20.4% yoy. The net proceeds of the games he appears to 322.9 million, representing an increase of 19.5%, while other activities generate 112.5 ME activity, an increase of 10.5% compared to last year . The consolidated sales total stands therefore at 435.4 million, representing an increase of 17%. True sinews of war, in the fourth quarter, the Group Partouche has received authorization to operate 230 additional slot machines, 158 of them were installed on 31 October 2003, bringing to 4,281 the total number machines in operation at the end of the year.

Cash machines. The appetite of the group remains intact for the coming months so that management hopes to open six casinos between 2004 and 2005, including a facility in Le Havre and the famous Casino du Palais de la Mediterranee in Nice. In exchange, the division of disivion, decreasing the value of the shares of 14 euros to 2 euros in November, has certainly been a plus for this area of ??interest to some managers “sharp” in this sector apart. The number of issued capital has thus increased from 6,156,774 shares to 14 euros par 43,097,418 shares of EUR 2 each. This operation “painless” for shareholders has been made of at Euroclear France by multiplying by seven balances of shares in the accounts of members at the end of day on November 17, 2003. We have always been in good timing on this issue that we bought at 7 Euros in February and in June on increased area of ??8.50 Euros being adjusted, so we are comfortable to the point now while the group has new challenges ahead.

Goose that lays golden eggs. Partouche and works hard at the future site of Le Havre where management will invest a total of more than 27 DOE for the development of the site that includes a hotel with more than 45 rooms, several restaurants and a large hall which will be inaugurated in spring 2004. The No. 1 game in Europe is a “must” in its sector, but may seem to its trading price after the recent rise in value. If higher taxes on gambling that has sealed the group of 5.6 M in terms of operation last year was offset by the rise of the machines, new rumors about the evolution of French legislation in this area are not conducive to a new surge of the course. The Senate should investigate and soon a bill challenging the casino monopoly to operate slot machines, pressure-tobacco bars that want to offset their losses on declining cigarette sales, under pressure Brussels, which also could force Paris to open this market to English bookmakers, among others, who have their eye on the goose that lays golden eggs French … So we will take our comfortable profit on this issue purchased at the right time.

You can take his profit.

Accor Casinos has been authorized to expand its facility Niederbronn-les-Bains (Bas-Rhin) and submit tomorrow at the Ministry of Interior on application to open a new casino in Ribeauvillé (Haut-Rhin), it was Colmar learned Monday from the group management.

The two projects represent a combined investment of 14 million euros, said Nicolas Ricat, marketing director of the subsidiary of French hotel group Accor. Niederbronn will acquire 50 additional slots next year, following approval by the Gaming Commission of the Ministry of Interior.

“The park will be increased to 185 machines, which will solve the saturation observed at peak attendance, especially on weekends,” said Mr. Ricat.

In 2004 and 2005, Accor Casinos also renovating the equipment of the complex Niederbronn he took over three years ago, including the Grand Hotel, which will begin next spring under the Mercure brand, owned by Accor.

200 slot machines and 80 to create 90 jobs

A Ribeauvillé, if the Gaming Commission clears Accor Casinos planned opening in early 2004. The group plans to run 200 slot machines and the creation of 80 to 90 jobs, said Nicolas Ricat.

If this project goes ahead, it could compete with the casino Trois Epis (Haut-Rhin), planned to be build local 20 km further south.

Accor Casinos operates 17 facilities in France and 4 overseas and employs employs 2,200 employees. The subsidiary of the Accor Group has achieved a 2002 turnover of 335 million euros and expects “to approach” the 400 million euros this year, according to Mr. Ricat.

Money. Since 1990, the association helps gamblers. An observatory has been created by researchers.

Smoking kills, and nobody knows it. Play can destroy, and very few are aware: no warning at the entrance of the casinos or on scratch tickets. No serious study has been devoted to gamblers. Yet the French spend 10% of their budget leisure gambling. According to a 2002 Senate report, 30 million players play Lotto 6 million to PMU and casinos recorded annually 64 million entries. Among them, a number of “addicts”. 300 000, according to the report, all caught in a terrible spiral. The figure is discussed. Two weeks ago, an independent structure, the Observatory of games (1), was created by researchers to better understand this disease.

“As in prison.” So far, only a small structure existed: SOS Players (2), installed in the thirteenth arrondissement of Paris. Every morning, Armelle Achour, a psychologist, it provides the hotline. She picks a woman says: “My husband is stuck in the game, but I did discover that after fifteen years together. He is an accountant, has diverted funds to continue to play and has been unmasked. We had to sell our house and return to her parents with our children. We have rescheduled our debts: 900 euros per month for five years. We have more than what we pay rent. ”

A few minutes later, a Welfare beneficiaries who calls: “As soon as I touch the money I spend on courses. Tierce, Keno, Lotto, Casino: I play everything. Above the slot machines. I have children to feed and I want a quick fix. “Armelle does not. She proposes to meet with counsel for the association. The service is free for people who contact them (1 300 in 2003). Initially, the families of players were concerned. Yet soon, many players have manifested themselves. As the retiree, who sent a long letter: “My children made me ban casino. I’m smiling. It’s as if I was in prison, “she wrote, saying he was EUR 50 000 EUR 45 000 Debt and borrowings.

The association has eked out a living for years at the discretion of departmental grants random. Now she only has money paid by … The French game, the union casinos in France, Accor-Casino and the PMU: 30 000 euros each year for the first three, for the last 15 000. PMU, it is assumed that 4% of customers are everyday, but it says that “they are not necessarily dependent, because it is a leisure game that does not predispose to compulsive behavior mechanically. The French side games, the ball is returned … the PMU and casinos: “We do not deny that cases exist, but our games are scratch with modest amounts.”

“State dealer. The real concern is however the Observatory of games where we appealed to the government. “Their role can not only be tax and business. The state dealer must assume its responsibilities in this public health problem, “said its chairman, the sociologist Jean-Pierre Martignoni-Hutin. In addition to a warning role, the Centre also intends to better know the players. Thus, Marc Valleur, psychiatrist, has worked since 1998 on this kind of dependence. In receiving the drug, he gradually drew a parallel with the Player of Dostoevsky. “Addicts can become problem gamblers and the game as alternatives to drugs.”

The Observatory of the game desired to detect those most affected. Clichés equating gamblers to rich stars, including Philippe Bouvard or Darry Cowl. “The minimum wage earners are likely to play,” says Marc Valleur. Immigrants also hoping to pay for two apartments. One for themselves and for their families back home. In their minds, the game is to reconcile the irreconcilable. “Psychologist peak slots. Since they have proliferated in the 90s, some will clap their salary in one day. “Moments of gain is much more significant than the moments of loss, we always seem to win.” As in games the immediate result. “The Instant Game or the Rapido tend to be closer to that operation.”

“Sing to the crime.” According to the psychologist, however, operators have no interest in what is developing pathological gambling: “The alcooliers do not need to sell alcoholic. Same thing with the game: this gives a disastrous image. “Remains that” with slogans like “100% of winners have tried their luck,” we are pushing the frontiers of crime. ”

(1) Observatory games, 8 Avenue of Messina, 75008 Paris. Tel. : 01 45 61 51 80.
(2) SOS Players, 9, rue du Jura, 75013 Paris. Tel. : 01 47 07 07 80.

The facility could open in 2007 near Lille Europe station.

Lille City Council voted Monday, Dec. 15 approval to build a casino near Lille Europe station. Impact of four million euros per year are planned.

The future casino with games rooms, an auditorium, restaurants and possibly a hotel could be open in 2007.

The city will purchase the land and mettera available to the casino owner who becomes the next 18 years. It’s actually an investment in the city of Lille will collect 15% of gross revenues and 10% of the taxes levied by the state. Four million per year during the first years of activity.

In voting in the municipal council, the Greens and elected UDF voted against and warned against the “risk of debt distress of the population most precarious.”

The choice of casino operator must take place in autumn 2004. He has an obligation to engage in “cultural action” of the city.

In the competitive context of increasingly tense, the gambling house has launched a campaign of seduction and some democratization.

“I give you the figures of the 2004 budget, 53 million euros for the slot machines (82 million Swiss francs), but I really should not disclose it because the board has not yet officially became aware, “ventured Claude Blot, chairman of the Financial Corporation of Domaine de Divonne (FSDS). The man came forward in the attempt to rescue the Casino of Geneva. “Maybe that he served our image. I do not know! But we have nothing to reproach ourselves. “He has rants, the word nimble. He lets slip some information, not too many either. The medium of casinos is not very talkative, and that of Divonne has historically been a proverbial discretion.

Third in

In 2003, Divonne has lost its second place to rank third ranking French official casinos. The competition today, since the opening of the Montreux Casino, gambling halls Meyrin in Geneva, St. Julien border, the presence of Evian, pushing the company that owns Divonne to open its doors cozy atmosphere. That’s what she demonstrated yesterday at a press conference. The pretext is found: the casino party, in 2004, the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the new casino. The opening of a “circle game” in 1912, but that it would be necessary in 1962 to celebrate 50 years, or 2012 for the centenary, it is a bit far. “We need to talk to us. Montreux has to do. They have multiplied the inaugurations. Obviously we lost a customer on the East Lausanne, not many, an erosion. Evian suffers more, but we must react, “concedes Claude Blot. The events in 2004 are intended ambitious. Anyone celebrating 50 years next year is entitled to one night’s accommodation for two, dinner and champagne. Concerts, a special raffle: a fifty events are announced to speak at the Casino de Divonne, and this throughout the year. All the festivals of the calendar will provide an occasion for celebration.

Nagging sense of the forbidden

To redress the balance, Divonne always relies on its image of “elegance” (says Claude Blot), but a luxury that wants to become accessible to a wider audience. Operating the turn of democratization, the casino opens for three years to events like Star Academy, whose show of March 12, 2004 is already full. “The challenge today is finding new players. Only 15% of the population play. The sense of the forbidden is still tough, “Alain analysis Mansion, one of the administrators. Golf, the festival of chamber music, the development of thermal activities are the solution of complex Divonne for an image of respectability in engaging pinned lapel.

According to the newspaper “Les Echos” Today Tuesday, Barrier Group and Accor Casinos are discussing a merger and the proposed marriage would be announced in January 2004. The newly formed group would have 35 schools and a number of European casinos, anticipating the group Partouche , who had grown a lot at once there is a little over a year by swallowing the European casinos. On the Coast, the Barrier Group aligns particularly in Cannes Casino Croisette and the future of the Noga Hilton casino scheduled to open in spring. Casinos agreement provides the Royal Casino Mandelieu and Ruhl in Nice. The group thus formed would counterbalance the group Partouche already aligns the Palm Beach casino in Juan-les-Pins, Beaulieu and will soon open the casino in the Palais de la Mediterranee in Nice a few hundred meters from Ruhl. The competition is indeed open.

(RTTNews) – Confirming the information Voices (Tuesday) about the existence of talks between Accor and Groupe Barriere to the merger of their activities in casinos, the daily La Tribune quoted a relative of the folder that says “nothing is made ??but discussions are. ”

A marriage between Accor Casinos and Groupe Barrière , which could be announced early next month, would create the leading French and European industry with a market share in France, which amount to roughly 30% against 28% for Groupe Partouche .

If Accor does not “come out” in the sector according to Les Echos, it should see its stake diluted in the new set.

Based on the ratio paid by Partouche upon redemption of European Casino (which was also coveted by Accor Casinos) and a gross gaming revenue of about 400MlsE for Accor Casinos in 2003, the subsidiary of Accor could be recovered in case of deal around 560 million euros (based on a multiple of 1.4).

Still, the performance of the estimation of Accor Casinos is difficult because of incomplete information on the complete financial structure of society and the levers available Barrière Group in the acquisition.

At the Paris bourse, action Accor continues its downward trend this morning with a 0.2% additional 35.17 E.

The 2002-2003 season for the 180 casinos in France was marked by a new record, with gross gaming revenue (GGR – the difference between wagers and winnings) from 2.546 billion euros, up 3.68% compared in 2001/2002.

During the previous season, the 176 casinos operating in France had produced a GGR of 2.456 billion euros.

This new season record is also just confirmed the Casino of Enghien (Val-d’Oise – Ile only casino) as the first gaming facility in France.

He acquired this title because of the authorization to operate slot machines (MAS) which had been granted for the first time in April 2002 for 130 aircraft.

This is again thanks to MAS (150 authorized overtime since last June) Enghien largely confirms its top position, surpassing the 100 million euros PBJ ever reached by a French casino, it widens the gap with his immediate successor, by multiplying it by four.

Second gaming facility, in terms of PBJ, Casino & Africa (Rhone), returned two places.

Five times the first of France, he had in 2001-2002, demoted to 4th place, partly due to an administrative penalty.

The 2002-2003 season saw the casino Lyon enter the “top 10″ institutions of French games, instead of one that Evian, 16, lost six rows.

By themselves, the slot machines in operation in the 176 institutions authorized to operate PBJ generated from 2.365 billion euros (5.16%), representing 92.88% of total GGR games.

During last year, where 170 schools were allowed to operate in this report amounted to 91.57%, with 2.249 billion euros.

The operating license of MAS has become fundamental to a casino, because it can allow a significant increase in the PBJ, from one year to another.

Thus, for this reason alone, the period 2002-2003 saw the PBJ Casino de Saint-Julien-en-Genevoix jump 3495.74%, the largest increase this season.

Five more for the same reason, have increased their PBJ of 795.34% (Sainte Maxime) to 2,060.44% (Plombieres-les-Bains).

The “top ten club”

With 639.097 million euros, the balance of the top ten French casinos grew by 5.23% against 6.86% in 2001-2002.

Their share of national PBJ (25.09%), increases of 1.50% from 2001-2002 where she was, by contrast, dropped sharply (11.68%) compared to last year.

In total, from their “bandits penguins” reached 545.726 million euros (+ 9.56%) cons + 6.01% during the previous season.

It represents 85.39% of GGR and 24.26% of all the MAS service in French casinos cons respectively 82.02% and 22.14% last season.

This increase from the DSS in the first ten casinos PBJ de France (4.11%) is higher than that (3.34%) recorded during the previous year.

As for the product MAS first ten French casinos over the whole, it was up (9.57%) against a slight decline (0.32%) in 2001-2002 compared to 2000-2001.

The last four casinos ranking (Lompnes Hauteville, Bourbon-Lancy, Collioure and Luz-Saint-Sauveur) are new institutions, do not operate MAS and their cumulative PBJ is only 193,454 euros.

“When I closed the old casino on Sunday night, a part of me that remained with the furniture. This casino was my house, my life. My son grew up there … Isidore Partouche , CEO of the eponymous group, the leading French casino, takes a nostalgic tone to evoke memories. Fifteen minutes of the opening of its new concept in Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, it remains more moved by the death, the old casino, a piece of history. “It was my first casino, and this move coincides with the thirty year anniversary. ”

But up to now, this Pasino, a concept 100% Partouche , already installed in Djerba and Aix-en-Provence. A concept based both on the part of the casino entertainment component. Thus, and this is a place to discover the entrance do not dip into the slot machines, but a nice mall, on a piano-bar-chic nightclub, a huge auditorium and three restaurants and as many continents (Morocco, Japan, Italy). Only at the bottom on the left, the room of slot machines, with, in its extension, that of traditional games.

No sense here of suffocation. Pasino throne in the middle of a large fountain, surrounded by reproductions of cobblestones. We would feel much in the North as a place of Spain. At 17 h 45, Isidore already wants to open the doors. Hundreds of players and onlookers pressed against the windows. Fifteen minutes later, the family Partouche in full force frees them from the cold. Most game enthusiasts flock to slot machines and a few minutes later, the Magic already resonates sound of coins. Other, more numerous, were squatting the sumptuous buffet, filling a void between two wake up …

To see the endless lines of cars around the Pasino, the bet is about to be won. Because the place is attractive, before the arrival of a hotel, it should retain its customers. A great showcase for the Partouche who would win the jackpot well for future casino Lille.