www.casinointernational-online.com EDITOR’S COMMENT Managing Editor: Jon Bruford


I got an email recently from a digital coaching company, Ezra. The email explained how much a gold medal was worth to an athlete in the Olympic Games. Of the top ten nations in medal terms at the Rio Olympics, Italy gave their winners the greatest monetary prize, with $185,000 reward for the gold. Russia came second in the money league, with $62,600, and the US pays $25k. Only one of the top 10 doesn’t pay a single penny in reward money – Great Britain. They came second in the actual medal table, which is extraordinary for a country so small, pushing China into third place. But the key thing here is that the motivation of the athletes has nothing to do with money. It’s important, sure – everyone has bills to pay – but it’s not the key motivator to get out there and win, to try and be the very best you can be not just on the day, but every day. I saw a competitor in the Tokyo Olympics, a tremendous triple jumper named Yulimar Rojas. She had already won the gold, and she went back out for another jump because she thought she could also get the world record. And she did – she absolutely smashed it with a stunning jump. Why? Because she could. What better motivation could any of us have for being our best selves, today and every day?


Jon Bruford Managing Editor, Casino International +441584 877177 jonbruford@yahoo.co.uk @RunJontyRun @CasinoInt


NEWS Metropolitan announces acquisition of Caesars UK and Africa


It has been confi rmed that Metropolitan Gaming has completed its acquisition of the European and African casino businesses of Caesars Entertainment. With the completion of the transaction on July 16, 2021, Metropolitan Gaming, an investment company wholly owned by Silver Point Capital and its affi liates now owns and operates casinos in 11 locations across the United Kingdom, Egypt and South Africa, including the Empire Casino in Leicester Square. Silver Point will provide investment and


strategic support to the business and work collaboratively with management to develop Metropolitan Gaming as a leading brand in the luxury and premium gaming sectors. Edward Mulé, Founding Partner of Silver Point,


commented: “We are very excited about the opportunity to acquire a number of historic and high-end casinos in the United Kingdom. The acquisition fi ts well with Silver Point’s focus on investing in high-quality businesses at opportune times.”


“I am excited to join the amazing team at


Metropolitan Gaming,” said Michael Silberling, the newly appointed CEO of Metropolitan Gaming. “The world, the global economy, and the hospitality industry have been rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic, but I believe that this team


is well positioned to lead a strong rebound of this business, benefi tting from their experience and expertise, and a partner that is committed to invest. We intend to focus on job creation and investment in this historic business as we partner with our employees, regulators and the communities in which we operate to create a safe, fun and memorable experience for our customers that is second to none.” Rice Voelker and CBRE acted as fi nancial


advisors to Silver Point Capital. Allen & Overy LLP, Memery Crystal LLP, Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy, Werksmans Attorneys, Cains Advocates and Shepherd & Wedderburn LLP acted as Silver Point’s legal counsel. Latham & Watkins, LLP acted as Caesars’ legal counsel.


Dragonara and Maltese government sign new concession


The Government of Malta, through the Ministry for the Economy and Industry, and Dragonara Gaming Limited have signed a new 10-year casino concession agreement, commencing from August 1st, 2021. The agreement was concluded following an international Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by the Privitisation Unit (PU) earlier this year, ‘To Open and Operate A Casino in Malta’. During the new concession period, Dragonara


Gaming Limited will invest a total of ten million EURO (€10 Million), in new technology, systems and equipment in its bid to continue to provide a player experience of the highest quality. The company has been successfully operating the


4 AUGUST 2021


Dragonara Casino since June 2010, after it had won another international call for tenders issued in 2009 and duly obtaining the licence to operate the casino by the Malta Gaming Authority. The second successive term at the helm of Malta’s


foremost land-based casino will enable Dragonara Gaming Limited to continue positioning the Dragonara as a one of the most prestigious casino properties in Southern Europe while sustaining its contribution towards the growth of the land-based casino industry in Malta. “When we took over the operations of the


Dragonara Casino in June 2010, we embarked on a vision to transform and modernize the Dragonara


Casino and by so doing grow the land-based casino sector in Malta,” commented Johann Schembri, CEO of Dragonara Gaming Limited. “We took over a casino property that lacked investment and innovation and a business sector that was grossly underserved. Within a few years, through a very aggressive and well-planned investment programme, the Dragonara Casino regained its position as the leading casino in Malta and a respected name internationally. Despite the setbacks of the recent years due to COVID-19 restrictions, we look to the future with a renewed sense of optimism and an unwavering commitment to … the sector.”


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