Last October, Gaming1 acquired the majority of shares in the Crans-Montana casino through Circus Casino France. The group secures, once again, its position in the Swiss market, an example of regulation and player protection.
In 2017, the Gaming1 group stepped onto the Swiss market with the investment in the Davos casino, and they then later became the main shareholder in 2021. Since October 2022, Gaming1 has also established itself in Valais after acquiring the majority of shares in the Crans-Montana Casino, a renowned casino in a tourism and leisure environment.
But why Switzerland? In an interview with RTS on 4 July, Emmanuel Mewissen spoke about this choice:
“Our DNA is to establish ourselves in regulated markets. Switzerland is an example in terms of regulation compared to everything we see today internationally. […] There is also the social concept, the duty of support that casinos have for the players. Gaming is fun, it's leisure, but it's also potentially a danger to public health. Switzerland is at the forefront and I was very attracted by what Switzerland is doing in this area.”
As is the case in Belgium, the Swiss game of chance market is regulated by an independent body, the intercantonal gambling supervisory authority Gespa. Its area of activity includes the authorization and supervision of gambling operators, as well as the fight against illegal gambling through the publication of a blocking list. The regulator's objective is to protect players, an issue that has always been dear to the group as responsible gaming is the main pillar for Gaming1. Emmanuel Mewissen explains:
“As casino operators, we obviously have a role to play, a duty to support, and a duty to detect people with problems. We must alert and, where appropriate, we must educate. It can go as far as a ban. The Swiss system works well, people who are in difficulty are quickly identified and quickly banned from gambling.”
Gaming1 is thinking big for the Crans-Montana Casino. In addition to its expansion projects with a sports bar as well as seminar and reception rooms, the group has committed to reducing the building's greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2035. If the landbased license is renewed, Gaming1 also wants to bring its expertise to launch its online casino and offer Swiss players a multi-channel experience.
Yannick Joguet, general manager of the Crans-Montana casino, spoke about the development of the casino since the takeover by Gaming1:
“The Crans-Montana Casino plays an essential role through the jobs it offers, the financial benefits it generates and the attractiveness of its leisure offer in the heart of a 4-season mountain resort. The concessions of casinos in Switzerland are put out for tender again for the period 2025-2044. With the takeover by the Gaming1 group and its modernization and development projects, the Crans-Montana Casino is fully in line with the vision of the destination offering projects geared towards sustainable development.”
