Stadtcasino Baden Group before expansion?

Casino locations from the Swiss Stadtcasino Baden Group could soon be found in Baden, Solothurn and Locarno. Among other things, there are reports on the ISA Guide industry portal that the group wants to apply for the licenses in the three cities to be awarded.

Upgrading the Locarno location

The Grand Casino Baden is currently operated by the gambling company. The takeover of the gaming halls of the Locarno Kursaal was already reported in January. The Stadtcasino Baden Group would therefore like to strive for an A license for the localities instead of the currently available B concession. The Kursaal is to become a “real casino” in three years. From 2025, with an A license, among other things, the restriction of the operational limit to 25 CHF-the equivalent of around 24 euros-could be lifted per game.

License award procedure starts in April 2023

The licenses of all Swiss casinos only apply until the end of December 2024, then they run out. A decision on the new award should be made in basic features in April this year. At least this was the same as the federal Spielbankenkommission known in autumn of last year. Relatively detailed information on the award procedure and also information about the type and number of concessions to be awarded should be made accessible in the next month, according to the Federal Spielbankenkommission. Applications for the licenses can then be submitted from May to September 2023. In October 2023, the award in the Federal Council of the country is to be decided.

Locations in Baden, Locarno and Solothurn sought

The Stadtcasino Baden Group would like to keep the concession for the location in Baden. According to the company, the Baden City Council has already presented plans for the application for it. According to the company’s administrative president, Jürg Altorfer, the locations in Locarno and Solothurn would fit well with the current corporate strategy. He explained that “bathing […] 17,000 inhabitants and is in the center of a prospering economic region”. In addition, the conditions of the locations are comparable. “Solothurn has an equally large population and also forms a regional center. Locarno has 15,000 inhabitants and is practically overgrown with the economically strong neighboring communities and the entire Sopraceneri region. All three locations have a tourist and cultural tradition in which we want to fit in and develop with our partners. ”

Locarno and Baden have already proven themselves as casino locations. On the other hand, Solothurn is still new territory in the area, because it is a completely new location. The exact location of the casino has not yet been determined. According to the Stadtcasino Baden Group, talks with those responsible have already been held in the city. A casino hotel is of particular attractiveness. At least according to Stefanie Ingold, city president, an equal combination is particularly interesting. She at least explained this to the ISA guide. According to this, the Stadtcasino Baden Group is pursuing a concept that strengthened “the region’s cultural and entertainment and entertainment. This would make the city more interesting and attractive as a whole and in addition, the regional business benefits from the project.

No objections on the part of the city of Solothurn

As a “small”, Ingold, on the other hand, assesses the risk of play resulting from the offer. It justifies this through the extremely strict supervision of the authorities. It is also “done a lot” for player protection. So it seems as if the city of Solothurn there is no objections to the future casino operation. Such objections certainly do not exist for the gaming company, after all, the Baden Group Spielbanken would like to receive the licenses.

The Stadtcasino Baden Group strives for a total of three licenses for three different location. Whether the group will really receive all three concessions depends on the decision of the Swiss Federal Council. If this agrees, the Stadtcasino Baden Group could at best three in 2025 Casinos operate.