Competing Gambling Venues in Hesse, Germany: Overview of Local Casinos and Gambling Hubs
Casinos in Bad Homburg and Wiesbaden: A Timeless Gaming Experience with a Modern TwistBy Yannick Schroth, Edited by Angela Burke, Published on: 06.05.2025, Updated on: 08.05.2025
Breaking Records at Casino Bad Homburg
In 2024, the historic Casino in Bad Homburg smashed records, raking in a staggering gross gaming revenue of 58 million EUR, as reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung from a press release by the German Press Agency. CEO Lutz Schenkel credits the success to a diverse crowd of visitors, ranging from young thrill-seekers to seasoned gamblers, with around 650 people flocking to the casino daily.
The allure of the casino extends beyond slot machines, with classic games like roulette and blackjack also on offer in the historic Brunnensälchen.
A New Lease on Life for the Spa House
An exciting development is in the works for Bad Homburg: The casino aims to become the primary tenant, self-financing the restoration of the rundown spa house. The city plans to fund almost the entire project using rental income from the François-Blanc Casino GmbH, rather than relying on public funds.
The renovation concept involves demolishing the current 1980s spa house, which is deemed outdated regarding safety and construction, and building a new one that will accommodate an additional 50 slot machines, potentially generating an additional 13 million EUR in annual revenue. This marks a return to the casino's roots – financing the spa house – a circle previously traced in the 19th century.
A Balanced Approach at Casino Wiesbaden
Casino Wiesbaden, CEO Andreas Krautwald reports, also seeks to maintain the traditional casino experience, blending it with modern technology to keep up with the competitive gaming environment. Despite the popularity of slot machines, classic games remain a strategic priority, catering to both traditionalists and contemporary players.
Gaming Addiction: A Concern for Both Casinos
Both establishments recognize the risk of gambling addiction and offer resources to support at-risk players. Informational materials about compulsive gambling are available at the entrance of the Spielbank Bad Homburg, and preventive conversations are offered for guests exhibiting signs of problematic behavior.
The Future of Casino Wiesbiden's License
While Casino Bad Homburg's license remains valid until 2037, Casino Wiesbaden faces a looming deadline: Its license will expire at the end of 2025. The city administration is currently in the process of re-tendering, aiming to complete the procedure by summer 2025 to ensure a smooth handover. Potential suitors include the gambling giant Novomatic, vying to succeed the current majority shareholder, Jahr + Achterfeld Gesellschaft, and the city is also considering operating the casino itself, though challenges such as high startup capital and a lack of expertise present possible obstacles.
Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future
As we look at these statistics and strategies, we see both casinos striving to preserve the allure and tradition of classic games while adapting to modern gaming trends. A balance between heritage and innovation is at the heart of their approach, creating an experience that appeals to a wide audience and drives profitability in a dynamic market.
Interestingly, croupiers in the classic game do not undergo formal training but are trained internally, gaining a keen sense for the guests through a unique training process that includes playing themselves, according to Schenkel.
In Schenkel's opinion, online offers are even riskier in terms of addiction intervention, as anonymity makes early intervention more difficult.
- As both Bad Homburg and Wiesbaden casinos adapt to modern gambling trends, they are not only focusing on online casinos Germany but also integrating casino-and-gambling technology within their traditional settings, ensuring casino-culture continuity while catering to contemporary players.
- The growing popularity of casino-games has led to a rise in gambling-trends, with figures such as CEO Lutz Schenkel and Andreas Krautwald at Casino Bad Homburg and Wiesbaden respectively, at the forefront of these changes, adapting their establishments to meet these evolving demands.
- In the rich history of casino-personalities, Schenkel and Krautwald continue to contribute significantly, preserving the charm of classic games while emphasizing the importance of gambling responsibility, reflecting the delicate balance between embracing innovation and upholding tradition that defines casino-culture.
