After announcing earlier this year its intent to open a slots parlour in the German city of Halle this summer, the Merkur Spielbanken Sachsen-Anhalt, a partnership between European gaming machine giant, Gauselmann Group, from Espelkamp (NRW) and the Swiss Stadtcasino Baden AG (STABAB:OTC-X BEKB), has reportedly been given the green light from the city in Saale to move forward with its plan to build a €4.5m (US$5.22m) casino.
According to the official press release from Merkur Spielbanken Sachsen-Anhalt GmbH & Co. KG… Merkur Spielbank Halle will be built in the historic premises on Franckestraße 1 and will span an area of 800 square meters or about 8,611 square feet. Of that total footage, approximately 340 square meters or about 3,659 square feet will house a wide range of 85 of the most up to date slot machines. The Halle casino will be the company’s third after the 2014 opening of Leuna-Günthersdorf and Magdeburg in 2016. Merkur Spielbanken Sachsen-Anhalt GmbH & Co. KG was awarded the license to operate casinos in Saxony-Anhalt in 2014. Managing Director for Merkur Spielbanken, David Schnabel said… “With the approval, work on the Merkur Spielbank Halle can now begin in a timely manner. We are very happy to be able to realise the blueprints now. After the very successful development of the two casinos in Leuna-Günthersdorf and Magdeburg, the implementation of another location was the next logical step.”
Architect Susanne Rasspe, who developed the casino’s theme, and at the time of the announcement said would evoke the California seaside community of Carmel, said that the property’s main colour would be gold. “Since the building is a listed building both from the outside and inside, we will carry out the conversion work in close cooperation with the monument protection authority. It is important to us to preserve the historical character of the premises,” explained Rasspe. “a pure slot machine casino”
Merkur Spielbank Halle will, in keeping with the provisions of the Casino Act, be a pure slot machine casino. The venue will offer a range of the most up to date slot machines from a variety of manufacturers, including the Gauselmann Group. Featured gaming will include electronic roulette and blackjack, along with various jackpot systems and 3D gaming machines. In the future, the casino may increase its gaming positions up to 120. Tobias Hellbach, who has been with the team for more than three years, when Merkur Casino Leuna-Günthersdorf opened, will manage the casino.
