MERKUR CASINO scores quadruple success in Croatia

ESPELKAMP. So far, Europe’s most famous symbol of luck, the MERKUR sun, has only been shining in Croatia in the capital of Zagreb and in the city of Slavonsky Brod to the west of it. Now, MERKUR CASINO, the internationally oriented operating-subsidiary of the German GAUSELMANN Group, has been able to double the footprint of the ‘sun brand.’ Even in early May, a new entertainment center was inaugurated in Osijek, the fourth largest city in Croatia. For some days now MERKUR CASINO has also been present with a new branch or the fourth location in Croatia in Zapresic, a county capital with 23,000 inhabitants.

While with increased service-offering than the local competitors, the new MERKUR CASINO in the university city of Osijek with a floor space of approximately 350 square meters and 36 casino machines as well as an electronic roulette is one of the most effective locations of the arcade chain subsidiary of the Gauselmann Group that is active in all of Europe. Nevertheless, the new electronic casino shines with an unrivalled interior design, a high-quality modern product portfolio, and the excellent service skills of its staff. With its upscale ambiance it is located in an attractive neighborhood: the arcade was perfectly integrated into the modern shopping center in Osijek. In addition, the shopping mall is located in close proximity to the very popular marina.

Zapresic is only some kilometers away from the capital and metropolis and is considered to be one of the most densely populated cities in the Zupa (county) of Zagreb. The small cultural-historical city is not only known for its strikingly beautiful architectural monuments, evidence of the heyday of building and architecture, but also for its successful soccer club ‘Inter Zapresic’ that has just conquered back the top position in the Croatian first league. On a gaming floor of only 210 square meters MERKUR CASINO demonstrates its great competence in gaming, ambiance, and technology. 29 casino products and an electronic roulette offer patrons first-class entertainment. Apart from the inauguration, the 7-staff team of this MERKUR branch celebrated an additional premiere: for the first time, the customer-oriented “Merkur Card” with support of the Atronic system has been implemented and is being distributed in Croatia. The clou are the benefits for the users in terms of first-class customer-focused marketing. In addition to enjoying games the customers can collect points with the card and exchange them to their advantage. “Croatia is definitely spearheading the use of our MERKUR card. Indeed, the corresponding tests were also run in other European casino locations, but not in this innovative form as of yet,” explains Rolf Falke, managing director of Merkur Casino. “A new era has started for our target-group focused and internationally oriented marketing – very soon, nobody in Europe will want to play without the Merkur Card.“

Rolf Klug, member of the management board of Gauselmann AG and responsible for Spielothek, adds: “Our excellent technological innovation capabilities are based on many decades of experience as the leader of the German coin-operated machine industry as well as of the global casino segment. Marketing tools such as the Merkur Card confirm our competence and clear customer-focus. They are a clear sign of our elaborate overall marketing concept and will continue to continuously differentiate our Merkur Casinos from our competitors!“

MERKUR CASINO is a subsidiary of the family-managed and internationally active GAUSELMANN Group based in the East-Westphalian town of Espelkamp/Germany.
The GAUSELMANN Group, who this year proudly looks back to a 50-year history, currently operates 270 entertainment centers in the European arena. Just in time for the anniversary year the family-managed group generated aggregate consolidated revenues of more than EUR 1b in the fiscal year 2006. Worldwide, the GAUSELMANN Group employs more than 5,500 employees and is the only company in the German entertainment machine industry to be certified according to ISO DIN EN 9001:2000. The friendly smiling MERKUR sun has become the most popular symbol of luck and much appreciated guarantee for innovative leisure time culture in 10 countries in Europe.

Robert Hess M.A., Head of Communications
Phone: +49(0)5772 / 49-282; Fax: -289
E-Mail: RHess@gauselmann.de
Gauselmann on the Internet: www.gauselmann.de or -.com