Vienna – Novomatic opens Europe’s largest sports betting casino
Live daily sports transmissions, gaming entertainment and recreation in an Egyptian ambiance: Casino Admiral Prater, Europe’s largest and most modern themed sports betting casino was opened under the motto „Come In and Win“ on 18 March 2005 timed to the spring opening of the Vienna Prater entertainment operations. This new entertainment centre on the property of the former Kaleidoscope Theatre offers its guests an Ancient Egypt themed interior and a great variety of gaming and entertainment opportunities on two floor levels with a total area of more than 2,700 m² – and a new highlight every day.
The impressive and ornamental design of the façade of Casino Admiral Prater is a harmonious continuation of the architecture of the Vienna Exhibition Centre and a conscious implementation of the new Prater design plan. The gold tinted glass surfaces reflect both the tradition and the current spirit of the Vienna Prater.
Casino Admiral Prater has been designed as a unique sports betting facility in Europe in terms of dimension and betting offerings. A major attraction are the numerous large screens where international sports events like soccer and ice hockey games, world cup ski races, Formula 1 Grand Prix races and horse and dog races are transmitted live while no entrance fee is charged.
At Casino Admiral Prater, both the local public and tourists have the opportunity to make their bets from the broadest selection of betting options and to test their luck at state-of-the-art gaming machines (with limited stakes at 50 Cents per game) every day from six o’clock in the morning until one o’clock in the night.
The show and stage area will not only be used for performances by various artists but will also be the venue of autograph sessions which are to be held on a regular basis, of sports regulars‘ tables and talk shows with popular guests. This is completed by a diverse culinary offer ranging from a selection of international specialties to the classic cuisine of Vienna.
A model flagship operation for further locations
Novomatic AG has invested approximately € 20 million into the property under a long-term lease from the Government of Vienna. The refurbishment works under the new Prater design plan were directed by the Austrian architect Adolf Straitz and were completed within little more than one year. The themed interior and exterior design was spearheaded by Guillermo Gomez Moron, a specialist in sophisticated casino design with architectural experience in Las Vegas. „In the Vienna Prater, this new entertainment centre is a leading operation on the highest level“, says Franz Wohlfahrt, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Novomatic AG. „Casino Admiral Prater will provide quality employment for approximately one hundred people on a permanent basis. The flow of annual revenues to the Government of Vienna will exceed € 5 million in amusement taxes alone. In addition, the project will be a flagship operation of the Novomatic Group for further sports betting casinos at other locations in Europe.“
A daily lucky hour with attractive prizes
In addition to exciting live transmissions, interesting sports betting and state-of-the-art game offerings, Casino Admiral Prater offers its guests another highlight: the Prize of the Day.
This prize will be drawn in the lucky hour between 17.30 and 19.30 from a pool with a variety of valuable prizes (ranging from cash prizes to travel prizes and a dream car). All guests that are present enter the draw via their personal code number on their Admiral Joker Card which is issued to every guest free of charge. A special guest service is available to look after the visitors‘ needs and to provide help and information with the various game varieties and betting options.
Action-packed opening with tight rope artist Falko Traber
The opening of Casino Admiral Prater held a very special attraction for the public: the spectacular live show of one of the world’s top tight rope artists Falko Traber, whose performances kept visitors under suspense during the entire weekend of the opening. Autograph sessions with some of the most popular Austrian athletes completed the opening program.
About Novomatic
Novomatic Group of Companies ( http://www.novomatic.com/ ) was founded in 1980 by industrialist Prof. Johann F. Graf, a pioneer in the international gaming industry. Today, Novomatic Group is one of the largest integrated gaming groups in the world. Shareholdings and joint ventures in nearly 40 countries have made Novomatic a leading gaming and casino operator and supplier of casino equipment. In 2004 Novomatic Group for the first time in the history of the company clearly exceeded the € 500 million turnover threshold. Novomatic employs more than 4,500 people worldwide. In the sector of sports betting, Vienna stock exchange listed Admiral Sportwetten AG, a member of the Novomatic Group, has defined new standards in Austria and is a leader in the country’s sports betting offices market.
Contact information:
Karl Neidel
Tel: +43 2252 606-242