Grand Opening for Grand Casino St. Gallen

With a winning combination of modern design and spaciousness, the renowned American casino architect, Paul Steelman, has created something unique for St. Gallen. On November 27, 2003, Grand Casino St. Gallen celebrates its Grand Opening in a new complex next to the city’s OLMA exhibition grounds. The extraordinary ambience and gaming experience offered by the new casino is sure to be a valuable addition to the Lake Constance Region.

Guests entering Grand Casino St. Gallen through the light, open lobby it shares with the Radisson SAS Hotel St. Gallen will immediately be impressed by the generous proportions and openness of the gaming area. Spread over 1,800 m2, the whole casino is visible to the eye, divided only by a striking row of ornamental pillars. The modern design is dominated by clean lines and a touch of 1970’s glamour.

A specially commissioned fountain forms the centerpiece of the reception area. Water cascades around an illuminated pillar of constantly changing colors, with the round shape of the fountain mirrored in a band of yellow lights recessed into the floor. A procession of conical light pillars lead across the casino to the bar. Two bands of light set into the floor in sweeping curves around the pillars awaken images of a grand avenue. Pearl-like strings of lights set into the coffered ceiling add sparkle to the indirect lighting of the pillars and floor.

The deliberate repetition of identical elements and forms highlights the overall design concept. Grand Casino St. Gallen was designed by the renowned architect, casino and hotel designer, Paul Steelman, creator of world-famous casinos like «Caesars Palace» in Las Vegas. Construction work was carried out by several Swiss companies under the overall management of Walter Beller (W-Bag AG).

A Relaxed Gaming Experience

The bar is complemented by a relaxing lounge with comfortable club chairs, offering not only drinks, but also an extensive range of snacks such as Italian antipasti prepared in the hotel kitchen. There are no slot machines in the bar and lounge, thereby creating a peaceful oasis where guests can relax yet still watch the action.

From the lounge and bar, guests can view the whole casino, with its gaming tables stretching all the way back to the entrance area on one side and an extensive range of slot machines on the other. And those who want to participate are spoiled for choice: Eleven live tables invite players to try their luck at Black Jack, Poker and Roulette, while a total of 165 slot machines ensure there is something for every taste. Guests also have the chance to hit one of the bigger jackpots: The casino’s own Mystery Jackpot or the Swiss Jackpot run jointly by the five Grand Casinos in Switzerland.

Grand Casino St. Gallen is Casinos Austria’s sixth operation in Switzerland, and is a joint development by Casinos Austria (Swiss) AG, Swiss Casinos Holding AG, and St. Gallen-Bodensee-Tourismus-AG, who together have invested around 17.2 million Swiss Francs in the joint venture. Casinos Austria holds a 29.4% stake in this project, which will create 102 new jobs and is expected to attract around 200,000 visitors annually. The casino is open daily (except on Good Friday and Easter Sunday) from 12:00 to 03:00 (Thurs. to Sat. to 04:00).

Casinos Austria is a leading player in the international casino industry, and currently operates 64 casinos in 16 countries and on board international cruise ships. These include five other casinos in Switzerland operated jointly by Casinos Austria and its Swiss partners, more than any other casino operator: Casino Schaffhausen, Casino St. Moritz, Casino Zürichsee, Grand Casino Bern, and Grand Casino Luzern.

For further information please contact:
Peter Klugsberger, Casino Manager
Grand Casino St. Gallen AG, St. Jakob Strasse 55, 9000 St. Gallen
Phone: (+41) 71 394 30 30, Fax: (+41) 071 394 30 31
E-mail: peter.klugsberger@grandcasinostgallen.ch
Homepage: www.grandcasinostgallen.ch