The first casino operator in France has become a minority shareholder in TV cash, an interactive games channel proposed by CanalSatellite. He also participated in Quedesjeux.com.

The group Partouche first casino operator in France, put on new technologies gambling group has become a minority shareholder of Cash TV, an interactive channel of satellite channels, which can from gambling (erasures , draws …) to win monetary amounts. And it also comes to participate in society Quedesjeux.com that provides entertainment content to telecom operators.

In France, the casinos are penalized by the ban to offer Internet gambling. Patrick Partouche , president of Casino, said he “does not want to miss the train promising developments of new technologies to the gaming sector” while the casinos are condemned to watch their “European competitors, some of which are listed on the London Stock Exchange “corner the market for online games.

The group had launched five years ago a website. But under pressure from the Interior Ministry, he had to bring himself to relinquish the operation and give a license to an operator who uses the mark Partouche internet but not access the site to French players.

The group Partouche also announced yesterday after market, a turnover 2004/2005 stable (+0.8%) to 456 million euros. But the gross gaming revenue (the amount lost by players) rose 2.1% to 771.3 million euros, an increase greater than those of the gaming market in 2004/2005.

Rien ne va plus? If so, so good. Anyway for all fans of blackjack, roulette, poker and other bandits. Grand Casino Brussels rolls out the green carpet. As early as Monday afternoon, the games are here!

This is the first casino in Brussels. From this Monday, they have the opportunity to titillate the luck in the new playground of the capital: “Grand Casino Brussels. Even if we wait another month (January 19) for the official gala opening, the room of Madeleine (1) reveals her finery from that afternoon. For a “soft opening”.

Former home of Congress but also the ball of officials, the building of the rue Duquesnoy, nestled in the heart of the city, was completely revamped by the architectural firm “BOA”. After the curtain of stone dressing alabaster facade, visitors pass through the fire before reaching the first machines, “a transition between the reality of every day and a night of dreams, happiness and fortune,” decodes poetically BOA.

A soft prediction that remains to verify you around one of the thirteen table games at your disposal on the ground floor. On the green carpet: roulette, blackjack, poker and mini baccarat. Notice to fans soloed: 201 slots are available, as are cocktail bars and other dining area.

Upstairs, eight gaming tables and five slot machines, lounges lounge, a VIP club and a restaurant trend “where the chef, Michael D., ensure the project designers will delight its guests since its open kitchen . A world of scents unveil the preparation of dishes prepared before you: a sublime combination of French cuisine, oriental and exotic. ”

Bread and games

A drinking and playing, so for a thousand daily visitors expected by the operators who won the Austrian market in Brussels: “Casinos Austria International. A giant now operates 59 casinos around the world. With its parent company (Casinos Austria AG), the group, which employs 9,000 people, has recorded nearly one billion dollars in revenues in 2004 and has hosted over 17 million visitors.

For their latest, the owners rely on a turnover of 35 million euros (fifteen of tax). A financial windfall that will have repercussions on the environment of the casino in Brussels. Three million, just for the City and not including indirect benefits.

Side of the Region, one can also speak of “jackpot”. Human one, since no less than 160 Brussels have already been trained and hired by the Austrians. Eventually, they should be even more numerous. Especially after moving to the galleries Anspach programmed in three years.

Hotels and Casinos subsidiary of Deauville Lucien Barriere , today announced its sales for the fourth quarter ended October 31, 2005.

After a decline in the third quarter, the trend was reversed in the fourth: the activity has reached full 61.14 million euros, against 60.16 a year earlier ME, or 1.63% better. However, the total turnover of 2004/2005 was down 0.4% to 215.53 ME, ME against 216.38 last year.

Pin “Casino” also saw a decline of 0.3% of its annual turnover to 151.89 ME (+, 06% in Q4), while the segment “Hotel” was down 0.7% yoy 63.63 to ME, however, after jumping 3.7% in Q4.

The group stresses that the activities of games recorded a “sharp decrease” Customer (-17% -19% of which at Enghien), while activity in machines rose 3% in particular through whose Enghien activity was up 7% compared to last year due to an increase in attendance from the casino and the installation of 40 additional slots (of the 70 grades) in July. Moreover, the casino of La Rochelle has set up 20 new slots in December 2004.

Local elected officials, mayor, general counsel and deputy head in a symbolic cut, this Friday, December 16, the ribbon inaugurating the reopening of the Casino Lacaune in the presence of major shareholders or directors of the institution. A CASINO redesigned.

Since 1 November 2003, the company Socodem Paris is the main shareholder who bought the Casino Lacaune Family fusies. This company has several subsidiaries whose society Scale, chaired by Mr. Toledano and loaded especially leisure goods and consequently casinos. It’s still one of its subsidiaries, SAS Casino Lacaune which manages the facility. Alain Paris is the chairman and CEO Didier Camus and responsibly.

“By January 2004, recalls Mr. Paris, we filed a building permit for the renovation of the Casino. Upon graduation, we began the first phase of works which consisted of the redistribution of wards. We’ve built primarily in the former disco room for slot machines, opened a year ago, then our efforts have focused on the restaurant which was completely modernized and, finally, tonight we open the bar atmosphere, called “The Club” that runs for a month. ”

Didier Camus, installed Lacaune with his partner, discusses the progress of his institution: “With Eric Baptiste, director of our games, we turn with 20 employees, rather from the country and currently we offer 25 slot machines but we asked an extension for 24 more and the response must be received in April. ”

The games are open from 12:00 to 2:00 am weekdays and until 4 pm on weekends.

The customers come from throughout the region, but mainly from Castres and Albi, seems to appreciate the catering service and bar room was particularly successful on Saturday night. “We hope to stimulate a little more,” says Camus, organizing theme parties or private. For New Year’s Eve, we offer a Christmas Eve at 40 € on reservation with petticoats, sequins and rhythms of all kinds. I hope our customers will be satisfied with the overall tripartite that we offer, including games, food and ambience of the evening. “

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, December 19 / PRNewswire-FirstCall / – Century Casinos, Inc.. (Nasdaq: CNTY and the Vienna Stock Exchange) announced today that the company plans to develop and operate a casino in Croydon in Greater London, United Kingdom.

Century Casinos partner in this project is Westmead Business Group Limited, owner and operator of hotels and Airport House Aerodrome Hotel in Croydon. The project includes a large casino (as defined by the law on gambling, UK Gambling Act 2005) with an area of ??at least 16,000 square feet for customers for a minimum of 30 gaming tables and 150 slot machines, expansion of the hotel which will offer 150 rooms, two restaurants and several bars, a fitness center, a convention center can accommodate 300 people, the museum’s current airport and offices equipped with all services.

The Aerodrome Hotel in Croydon, one of the best hotels in Croydon, was opened in 1928 to serve Croydon Airport, the first international airport in the world. It is frequented mostly by passengers and flight crews, and many celebrities such as King George VI, Amy Johnson, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin stayed there. It enjoys an ideal location near the A23, with quick and easy access to central London (30 minutes) by road or train, the network of motorways in the United Kingdom by the M25 and M23 and to Gatwick (20 minutes) and Heathrow (in 45 minutes). More than 700,000 people with more disposable income than the average in the UK live within 20 minutes by car from the place.

“The proposed casino near hotels Airport House and Aerodrome Hotel in Croydon promises to become a mid-size casinos busiest in the country,” said Peter Hoetzinger, Co-CEO and president of Century Casinos, Inc.. “The provisions of the new law on the play, allowing new casinos to offer table games, slot machines and entertainment international level, and the excellent location and demographic context of the proposed site, make this project an ideal place for the establishment of our first casino in the UK, “said Mr. Hoetzinger.

John Power, President of Westmead Business Group, for his part said: “The regeneration of the Aerodrome Hotel will have a positive effect on the economy and the Croydon area of ??south London. We are delighted to be working with Century Casinos to this project which will offer a casino in Croydon and a place of luxury entertainment. ”

Westmead Business Group and Century Casinos will work to obtain permits relating to the plan and zoning for the proposed project and to submit requests for licenses to operate the casino under the new Gambling Act (UK Gambling Act) as soon the commission on gambling (Gambling Commission) accept these newly created requests (probably during the second half of 2006).

Century Casinos, Inc..
Century Casinos, an international casino sector, owns and operates the Womacks Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek, Colorado, and the Caledon Hotel, Spa & Casino near Cape Town, South Africa. The company operates casinos aboard ship Silver Wind, Silver Cloud, Silver Whisper, The World of ResidenSea, and the vessels of Oceania Cruises. She holds a 50% interest in Casino Millennium in the Marriott Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic, and she provides technical services. She finally has a majority stake in development projects, casino and hotel in Central City, Colorado and Edmonton, Alberta, where it began construction. The company takes part in other international projects are in various stages of completion.

The address of the U.S. office is: 1263 A Lake Plaza Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. We may contact these offices by phone at (719) 527-8300, by fax at (719) 527-8301 and by email at investor@cnty.com. For more information about Century Casinos, visit the company web site, at www.centurycasinos.com. The common shares of Century Casinos are traded on Nasdaq under the symbol CNTY.

This document may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements include the factors of economic, competitive and governmental factors affecting the operations, markets, services and prices society, as well as other factors described in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its recent filings on Form 10-K, 10-Q and Form 8-K. Century Casinos disclaims any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements may be made from time to time by it or on its behalf.

MONTREAL, Dec. 21 / CNW Telbec / – Loto-Québec acquires a minority stake in Leisure Moliflor Participations, a French company that controls a group operating 20 casinos in France. The Quebec government corporation will partner Bridgepoint Capital and the management team Moliflor, which have acquired the group November 16, 2005.

Loto-Quebec was approached because of its experience and its capacity for innovation in the casino sector. Authorized by the Quebec government, the realization of his equity is now subject to obtaining relevant approvals from the French authorities, including foreign investment, competition and regulation games.

The business volume of 20 establishments in Moliflor reached 260 million euros (about $ 360 million) in 2004. The company is the third largest in the casino sector in France, with a market share approaching 10%.

Subject to approvals French, investment Loto-Quebec will amount to approximately $ 80 million (58 million). Bridgepoint Capital’s strategy is to combine the skills of Loto-Québec and its suppliers than the group’s management Moliflor to maximize the group value, maximize revenue and allow it to grow in French market and Europe.

International expansion that occurs at the right time

“Our participation in Moliflor allow us to continue our growth while creating interesting economic benefits for Quebec, especially for professional service providers,” says Alain Cousineau, President and CEO of Loto-Quebec. Financed by borrowing expansion abroad will not affect the government’s debt and will increase the profits of Loto-Quebec.

“Our investment in France comes at a time when our revenues in Quebec leveled,” says Cousineau. This is an excellent business opportunity that should not be missed, especially as a group Moliflor is very well managed emanates from good margins. The changes to French regulations that must be implemented in 2006 also opened a very promising development. ”

A popular business model

Partners Loto-Quebec appreciate the business model that integrates Quebec casinos gambling, entertainment, restaurants and hotels so as to produce maximum synergy. The expertise of Loto-Québec and its suppliers in developing entertainment complexes, security, information technology, marketing and prevention of pathological gambling is also sought. The agreement between Loto-Québec and Bridgepoint Capital provides operational collaboration between the Quebec government corporation and the group Moliflor for services of professional expertise.

The financing structure

The acquisition of a Loto-Quebec is part of a financing package involving the Bank of Ireland, Bridgepoint Capital, Loto-Quebec and the management team Moliflor. After the transaction, the shareholding will be allocated as follows: 55% for Bridgepoint Capital, 35% for Loto-Quebec (through its subsidiary Casino Mundial), and 10% for the management team Moliflor.

The agreement between Bridgepoint Capital and Loto-Québec provides that each occupy three of the eight seats on the board of directors (supervisory committee in France) Moliflor Leisure Investments. Two other directors come from outside. The chairman will be appointed by Bridgepoint Capital as vice-chairman will be appointed by Loto-Quebec. The executive committee will also consist of four members of the management team Moliflor and a person designated by Loto-Quebec, in consultation with the management team.

Information: Jean-Pierre Roy, Director of Media Relations, Loto-Quebec, (514) 499-5151

MONTREAL, Dec. 21 / CNW Telbec / – By participating in the capital Moliflor Entertainment Holdings, Loto-Quebec will become a shareholder in a company that has proven itself. The Quebec government corporation also take place alongside partners seriously impressive profile, and this in a developing market.

About Bridgepoint Capital

Bridgepoint Capital is a pan-European company focused on acquiring and developing companies in various economic sectors in the euro area. Present in Europe for 25 years, the company has collected so far from private investors of capital for a total value of 6 billion euros ($ 8.2 billion).

Leader in the acquisition by leveraged buyout (LBO), Bridgepoint Capital has to date invested in more than 150 companies. It currently manages 65 investment for assets totaling 5.6 billion euros ($ 7.7 billion). Since 2000, the company has returned more than 3 billion euros ($ 4.1 billion) to investors.

Bridgepoint is a renowned company. His associates have all many years of experience in major international financial firms or accounting firms. Its advisory committee includes the chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland, a former president of Coca-Cola UK, Chancellor of Oxford University and former Governor of Hong Kong and Mr. Francis Mer, former French Minister of Economy and Finance.

About Moliflor

Moliflor operates 20 casinos spread throughout French territory. The company, which employs 1,400 people, achieved a turnover of 260 million euros (about $ 360 million) in 2004. Its fleet of equipment includes 1,740 slot machines, gaming tables, restaurants, nightclubs and theaters.

Moliflor held 9.3% of the French casino market in 2004. This market share position behind the barrier groups (32 schools, 31.1% market share) and Partouche (46 institutions, 27.1% market share), and before the group Tranchant (18 casinos, 8.4% of the market ). Since 2000, Moliflor has acquired 10 facilities in more open one.

About the French casino market

France is the European country with the largest number of casinos (190) on its territory. The whole sector weighs more than 2.6 billion euros ($ 3.6 billion) in gross proceeds of games, of which 93% comes from slot machines. The market can still support a significant increase in the supply of game The French market is characterized by the presence of numerous casinos located exclusively, by legislation, spas, resorts and climate as well as in cities of more than 500 000 residents meeting certain criteria, including in cultural matters. In recent years the market has consolidated into four major groups that continue to make acquisitions.

Information: Jean-Pierre Roy, Director of Media Relations, Loto-Quebec, (514) 499-5151

The 190 casinos in France recorded during the 2004-2005 season, the weakest growth in 16 years, according to a review of industry professionals.

For the fourth consecutive season, the growth of “turnover” in French casinos shows a significant slowdown.

The gambling establishments have made in 2004-2005, a gross gaming revenue (GGR, difference between wagers and winnings) from 2.647 billion euros, an increase of 1.33%, the slowest growth in 16 years.

During the previous year, the French casinos had generated 2.613 billion Euros of GGR, while an increase of 2.60%.

This review confirms the leading casino d’Enghien (Val-d’Oise, Ile only casino), acquired three seasons earlier, thanks to the authorization to operate slot machines (MAS).

Enghien surpassed the 100 million euros PBJ (135.335) ever achieved by a French casino, widening the gap with his immediate successor, the casino Charbonnières (Rhone) of 71.237 with a PBJ ME.

By themselves, the slot machines in operation in the 188 institutions authorized to operate PBJ generated from 2.476 billion euros (1.48%), representing 93.51% of total GGR games.

During the previous year, during which 180 establishments were allowed to operate in this report reached 93.38%, with 2.440 billion euros, or 3.15% more than during the 2002-2003 season.

Such authorization has become fundamental to a casino, allowing a significant increase in the PBJ, a year on year, following the example of the establishment of Briançon (Hautes-Alpes), which saw her jump from 453 GGR , 57%.

With 628.764 million euros, the balance of the top ten French casinos has for the first time, recorded a decrease (-3.25%) whereas it had increased by 1.58% during the 2003-2004 season and 5.23% in 2002-2003.

The recession of the games is particularly acute in this “Club of Ten” because eight of them decreased their PBJ (up to -10.98% for Nice-Ruhl), only the casinos of Aix-en-Provence (1.24%) and Saint-Amand-les-Eaux (8.81%) are in progress.

For the second consecutive time, their share of national PBJ (23.75%), decrease (-4.39%) after 1% during the previous year against an increase of 1.50% between 2002-2003 and 2001 -2002.

Within this total, the share of their “bandits penguins” reached 556.792 million euros (-1.08%), against 3.14% during the previous season.

It represents 88.55% of GGR and 20.28% of the MAS service in French casinos cons respectively 86.70% and 23.07% last season.

The increase in the ratio MAS / PBJ top 10 casinos in France (2.13%) is higher than that recorded during the previous year compared to 2002-2003 (1.54%).

In contrast, the MAS produces ten, compared to the whole, is in sharp decline (12.09%) after an increase of 9.57% in 2003-2004 over the previous year.

The last two casinos ranking (Port-la-Nouvelle-open this season and La Trinité-sur-Mer), are the only French institutions do not exploit their PBJ MAS and combined is only 80,743 euros.

Casino Gujan-Mestras (Gironde), which was closed for 18 months because of a favorable opinion of the Ministry of Interior, causing a hunger strike among staff, was inaugurated Thursday night.

The casino, expected to open its doors to the public Friday evening, had suffered a first refusal in July 2004 on the grounds that the local supply was sufficient in terms of games on the Arcachon basin, and when a building was already built, as the legislation it wanted at the time.

Local officials and the operator, a small group in Paris, had then launched a lengthy legal battle and administration, with support staff to come to work sometimes debauched Gujan-Mestras.

Several staff members had even begun a hunger strike and then arrested Mr. Sarkozy during his summer vacation in the nearby town of Arcachon to request a review of the record.

After two refusals, the High Commission on Gambling (CSJ) has finally given a positive opinion in November, followed by the interior minister.

The casino-Gujan Mestras, installed in a building of 2,200 m2, for a total cost of 6 million euros, is not proposing at this time that the “big games” like the traditional stud poker table or Roulette.

For slot machines, which constitute the bulk of revenue from a casino, “it will take six months of operation before making an application to the LSB,” said Frédérique Ruggierri, president of the Socodem , The group operates the casino.

(Oceania Flash) – Kerry Packer, considered the richest man in Australia to have built an empire of press and broadcasting, died Tuesday at his home in Sydney following a long illness, the age of 68, his family said in a statement.

His company, Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL), has particular private TV Channel 9, a series of popular magazines (including women’s magazines with the Australian Women’s Weekly and Cosmopolitan) and local television networks.

It also extends to the petrochemical, real estate, mining of diamond and coal mining, hotels, casinos (including the Crown Casino in Melbourne) and supermarkets.

He had recently invested in a chain of casinos in Macao.

In the latest rankings on the criterion of personal wealth, Mr. Packer was placed first for Australia, with a fortune estimated at 4.23 billion euros.

Born into a family already established a firm press, Australian Consolidated Press (ACP), he took the reins of the company in mid-1970.

In 1987, he sold the television station Channel controversial businessman Alan Bond and investiles fruits of this sale (about six hundred million euros) to diversify dan other sectors, before buying Channel Sept. 3 years later.

For fifteen years, the Australian media magnate, passionate games and horse races, had suffered a first heart attack while attending a polo match in 1990.

Suffering from cancer, he had also seven years ago, underwent a heart bypass and had made a kidney transplant five years ago.

For seven years he had given the interests and direction of the group to his only son, James, said the Australian press, which devotes much of Tuesday’s editions that disappearance.

Peter Costello, Australian Minister of Treasury, was one of the first to react to Tuesday’s announcement of Mr Packer’s death, calling the press baron of “giant television and the press in Australia” and “one of the businessmen who have been most successful.”

In media circles internationally, an Australian-American Rupert Murdoch, head of NewsCorp’s group, in particular, control the U.S. television network Fox News, the global network Sky TV, The Times, The Sunday Times and the Sun in the UK, 20th Century Fox, 35 Fox television affiliates in the United States, 18 newspaper titles in Australia (including the daily The Australian), Fiji (Fiji Times) and Papua New Guinea (The Post-Courier).