Positive results for Casino de la Vallée in the first month of 2010

The month of January 2010 ends positively for the Saint-Vincent Casino.

The gross income from gambling reached a total of 9,031,459, which is a slight increase (+0.19%) on 2009, and a large increase compared to 2008.

The positive result for this month, the third consecutive one, is still more encouraging in light of the fact that there have been a number of important wins by clients, especially in the traditional games.

In terms of the different areas of income, the French Games grew significantly in January (+17.92%), thanks to the success of the First Round of the Chemin de Fer tournament, to the organisation of the Italian Poker Awards, and to the numerous Texas Hold’em tournaments connected to the event. Likewise there was a growth in Electronic Games (+5.27%) due to the clients’ satisfaction at the total renovation of the machine area. At the same time a decline in the Mixed Games (Caribbean Poker, -18.95%) and in the American Games (-15.27%) has been recorded.

Furthermore the figures relating to the volume of gambling show a positive shift of about 5%.

Entry figures performed excellently, with a 17% increase. In January 61,669 clients entered the gaming rooms of the casino, indeed 8,984 more than in the same period of 2009, and the eight consecutive month with a positive trend.

The above figures are particularly encouraging given the findings of the General Assembly of the European Casino Association (E.C.A.), which Federgioco also participates in, and which was held in London on 16 January.

The gambling market in Europe is experiencing a period of great difficulty and only France, Italy and Switzerland have managed to resist the negative economic trend, limiting the drop in income to 8% for the former two countries and 5% for the latter, an undertaking which wasn’t successful in Slovenia, where the casinos saw a 13% drop, rising to 14% in Germany, 15% in Holland, 16% in Greece, 27% in the Czech Republic, 30% in Finland, 39% in Lithuania and 52% in Estonia.

There are a number of activities organised at the Saint-Vincent Casino, for the month of February: on the weekend of 5th-7th the second round of the first Chemin de Fer tournament is taking place, a game which will be the protagonist again on the 19th and 20th with a new Competition – the Chemin de Fer Rally, which will see the participation of those who love the most traditional of games in eight monthly heats, a semi-final and a final. The prize for the overall winner is a PORSCHE Carrera 4S. To accompany each Heat of the Rally, there will also be a show: in February Carmen Consoli will be performing. Casino guests can also celebrate the Carnival on Saturday 20th February at the Grand Hotel Billia, and experience flavours and traditions of the Neapolitan culture.

Another important debut this month will be the ZERO DOPPIO ZERO talent show, an innovative and exclusive format which will enable new talent to be discovered in the world of show business. They will perform in the Brasserie du Casino on Friday and Saturday evenings, placing themselves under the judgement of the public, who will also be incontestable judges choosing the best artists to admit into the final, planned for the month of November.