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MOVEMENT FOR MIDDLESBROUGH
Four operators have continued to express their interest in the stalled Middlesbrough casino project with movement in sight UK - Licences
The delayed development of Middlesbrough’s
‘large’ casino licence could finally get under way with Stockton-based developers Jomast putting forward a three phase development programme.
Kubilay Özer is welcomed to the APEX team by Johannes Weissengruber
AUSTRIA – KUBILAY OZER JOINS THE APEX TEAM Kubilay Özer has been appointed as Global Sales Director for APEX gaming. Mr. Özer will manage worldwide sales at APEX gaming in all markets, including casino, AWP, VLT, online and mobile. The position of Global Sales Director has been espe- cially created at APEX gaming to reflect the growing interna- tional demand for the company’s solutions.
“We are setting the management structure, knowing that our company motto to take gaming to the ‘next level’ has been mirrored in the demand for our solutions. We are thrilled to have gained such a professional gaming person in Kubilay Özer who will be responsible for the sales depart- ment, covering all markets and all products. I have great respect for Kubilay. This appointment is the natural next step after having appointed Max Pessnegger as Chief Executive Officer. We are taking our management structure to the next level”, explained Mr. Johannes Weissengruber, Chairman and founder of APEX gaming.
Mr. Özer has gained extensive knowledge of the global gam- ing market in his previous position working for a leading pay- ment systems company.
BELGIUM – INTERBLOCK APPOINTS MAGENDANS Interblock has announced the appointment of Patrick Magendans as new Director of Sales for Europe.
Patrick has joined Interblock to lead its sales department in Europe with over 25 years experience. He started as a field engineer and has worked his way through many different positions. Patrick brings a wealth of knowledge and has previous experience with Interblock’s current customer base in Europe.
UK – HIPPODROME TO HOST ICC CONFERENCE The iconic Hippodrome Casino, situated in London’s Leicester Square, has been chosen as the venue for the 2015 International Casino Conference (ICC), taking place on Monday February 2. Organised jointly by Clarion Events and the European Casino Association, the ICC serves as the cur- tain raiser to ICE – the world’s biggest B2B gaming event – which runs from February 3-5 at London’s ExCeL Centre.
Co-organised with the European Casino Association, the 2015 ICC will bring together Presidents, CEOs and Board Members of all of the largest casino groups in Europe. The Conference will provide delegates with a platform to exchange views on issues affecting the land-based industry while giving them access to key speakers.
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It has signed an agreement with hotelier Premier Inn to complete phase 1, which if approved would see the construction of an 83 bed hotel, and con- firmed it has ‘positive interest’ from four casino operators.
A report to Middlesbrough Council’s Executive said the three phase development would increase the appeal of the overall scheme each phase pro- viding ‘greater confidence to both investors and prospective occupiers that the scheme is both deliverable and successful.’
The report blamed the economic downturn for having ‘a major impact in taking schemes forward nationally.’
“Casino and hotel development across the country
have proved difficult and Middlesbrough has proved no exception to that, which is the reason why the development has not progressed as quickly as anticipated,” the report stated.
“However, with the upturn in the wider economy, development in Middlesbrough is improving across a number of sectors, including the hotel market, as proved with the development of the Holiday Inn Express. Unfortunately the casino market is not showing the same appetite for development but it is anticipated that as the econ- omy continues to grow this will change according- ly.”
France French operator Joa has now opened the gaming extension at its Casino D’Uriage in Saint-Martin d’Uriage, the Rhone-Alps. The design includes the use of opaque lacquered glass coloured in oranges, pinks and reds to create a contemporary casino space. Laurent Lassiaz, the Chairman of the Management Board of the Lyon Group JOA, opened the new extension along with Casino Director Arnaud Loret. At a cost of €5m, the 1,000m² has provided a whole new gaming floor, space for shows and business conferences as well as a new reception area and a new entrance opposite the Grand Hotel, under a huge glass roof.
The casino restaurant can now welcome customers through its own entrance without the need for proof of identification. Mr. Lassiaz said: “The aim of JOA is to become the number two or even number one operator on the French casino. Our aim is primarily to change the look of the casino world by making our facilities genuine leisure destinations. With these developments, we expect a 10 per cent increase in our traffic.”
The restaurant will be run by the Italian chain Zizzi.
Partouche’s Bath casino plan is moving a step step closer
UK The Partouche-operated casino in Bath, a historical city in Somerset in the south west of England, has moved a step closer with devel- opers behind the £14m SawClose scheme being grated new prem- ises licences for a casino and restaurant.
A licence for the hotel will be decided on at a later date. The ‘small’ casino’s opening hours
have been limited to 11am to 11.30pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 11pm on Sunday.
It will be allowed to serve alcohol and play recorded music while it is open. Late night refreshments will only be served indoors between 11pm and 11.30pm Monday to Saturday. The casino will be run by French firm Groupe Partouche SA in partnership with Global Gaming Ventures Limited.
Deeley Freed director Andrew Maltby said: “I’m delighted we have been at this for seven years so it’s nice to get to the end.”
Avon and Somerset Police have stipulated that a CCTV system must be in operation and that the casino must display signs instructing customers to exit qui- etly.
Staff must adhere to a challenge 21 scheme, whereby proof of age is required from anyone looking to be under 21-years-old.
Several buildings will be demol- ished to make way for the new development, including a section of the Grade II listed Gala Bingo operation.
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