Casinos Austria reports record results for 2007

Aggregate revenues (win, registered tips, entrance) at the 66 casino operations around the globe wholly or partly owned and/or managed by CAI rose by 10.7 % year-on-year to a record 1.1 billion euro, exceeding the one billion euro mark for the first time in the company’s 30-year history. Guest numbers for the period at these casinos increased by 5.4 % to 17.5 million.

"We are delighted with these results," said CFO Josef Leutgeb. "The double-digit increase in revenues and further growth in visitor numbers offer continued proof of the quality and potential of our operations worldwide."

Highlights in 2007 included the addition of eight new casinos to the Vienna-based casino consulting, development and management company’s international portfolio. In April, its Swiss subsidiary, Casinos Austria (Swiss) AG acquired a 29% stake in Casinò Lugano, increasing its number of casinos in Switzerland to seven, the largest portfolio of any operator.

Four new cruising casinos were added to the CAI fleet in May and June on board the Silversea Cruises ultra-luxurious Silver Wind, and the three luxury vessels in the Windstar Cruises fleet, Wind Spirit, Wind Star and Wind Surf.

Also in June, casino operations began as planned at Grand Casino Beograd in the Serbian capital. Developed in cooperation with Club Hotel Loutraki of Greece and the State Lottery of Serbia, Grand Casino Beograd is the largest and most sophisticated entertainment venue of its kind in South East Europe and redefines the European casino, placing gaming center stage in a total entertainment concept. Finally, in December, CAI’s partner in South Africa, the JSE-listed Gold Reef Resorts Limited continued its highly successful growth with the opening of two further casinos: Silverstar Casino in Gauteng and Queens Casino in the Eastern Cape, bringing its total number of resorts in the country to seven.

"With eight new casinos added to our portfolio, it has been a highly successful year overall for Casinos Austria International," said CEO Paul Herzfeld. "If you add that to the important steps taken in other markets to ensure continued future growth, we are very optimistic about the future."