Launched in 2007, the European Casino Association’s annual European Dealer Championship has already firmly established itself as a key event in the European gaming calendar. The championship aims to demonstrate the high levels of professionalism among dealers in Europe and celebrate best practices in creating a welcoming, fun, safe and fair environment in European casinos.

The second European Dealer Championship will take place from 2 – 3 April 2008 in Casino di Venezia, Italy. With most of the national heats now completed, top dealers from 15 European countries will travel to Venice to demonstrate their skills and craftsmanship at the Blackjack and American Roulette tables – two of the world’s most popular table games. Dealers will be judged for their hospitality, communication skills, technical expertise and control of the game. In addition to the title of “European Dealer of the Year 2008”, the winner will also receive a trip to Las Vegas.

“A good dealer might make it look simple, but dealing a table game is no easy matter. It takes a true professional to deal a busy Blackjack or Roulette table and still entertain guests at the same time,” said ECA Chairman Ron Goudsmit. “To serve casino guests in a professional manner, dealers need a range of skills that extend from hospitality and communication skills to technical expertise, discretion and control of the game.”

The European Dealer Championship 2007 was won by Paul van Leeuwen from The Netherlands, who beat 17 other finalists from 10 countries in a two-day showcase final in Torrequebrada, Spain. Interest in the 2008 event has been higher still, and the ECA is looking forward to another strong demonstration of the outstanding skill levels of casino dealers across Europe.

The European Casino Association (ECA) and its members understand and recognize that high quality training is crucial to learning the skills needed to become a good and qualified dealer. The ECA actively promotes training and supports its members in their ongoing efforts to improve professionalism in Europe’s casinos. The European Dealer Championship underlines this policy and also provides members with an ideal opportunity to get together, exchange information and expand their networks.

The ECA represents the interests of over 900 casinos and almost 80,000 employees in 22 countries across Europe. Founded in the early 1990s as the European Casino Forum, the ECA has grown steadily over the years and today includes members from the majority of the EU’s member states and from Switzerland. In 2006, ECA member casinos welcomed 130 million guests and generated aggregate total annual revenues in excess of 10 billion euro.

For further information, please contact
European Casino Association
Phone +32 2 777 05 06
info@europeancasinoassociation.org