Casinos Austria AG

Summary

Casinos Austria AG is one of the world's largest casino operators, founded in 1967 and headquartered in Vienna, Austria. The company is majority-owned by the Austrian state (through ÖBAG) and has extensive international operations through its subsidiary Casinos Austria International (CAI).

Company Details

• Full Name: Casinos Austria AG
• Founded: 1967
• Headquarters: Rennweg 44, 1030 Vienna, Austria (3rd district)
• Former Headquarters: Palais Ephrussi, Vienna (1969-2009)
• Employees: ~210 (Austria operations)
• Annual Revenue: ~€360.2 million

Ownership Structure

Casinos Austria AG has undergone significant ownership changes:

Current Ownership (Post-2020)

In 2020, ÖBAG and Sazka Group reached an agreement for joint control of Casinos Austria AG.

Austrian Casinos

Casinos Austria AG operates 12 casinos within Austria:

Casinos Austria International (CAI)

The international division operates approximately:

• 40 land-based casinos in 16 countries
• 8 shipboard casinos
• 15 slot parlors
• Lottery products in Argentina
• Online gambling platforms

Global Operations

CAI's international portfolio includes:

Swiss Operations History

Casinos Austria (Swiss) AG

Casinos Austria operated in Switzerland through Casinos Austria (Swiss) AG, registered in St. Gallen.

Commercial Register: CHE-100.189.949

2009 Divestment

On July 30, 2009, Casinos Austria (Swiss) AG sold its minority stakes in three Swiss casinos to Swiss Casinos Holding AG:

After this transaction, Swiss Casinos Holding AG held:

• 100% of Casino Zürichsee AG
• 99% of CSA Casino Schaffhausen AG
• ~97% of Grand Casino St. Gallen AG

Financial Difficulties (2010-2011)

Casinos Austria's international operations faced significant challenges:

2010 Results:

• International subsidiary (CAI) recorded losses of €35.2 million
• Withdrawal from Greece, Italy, and United Kingdom markets
• Corporate result near break-even

2011:

• Continued losses in international operations
• Sanitation concept adopted by supervisory board
• Restructuring to achieve positive EBIT by 2012

Financial Performance

2017 Group Figures

Revenue Breakdown

• Österreichische Lotterien Ges.m.b.H: €3,483.08 million (2017)
• Casinos Austria AG: €330.14 million (2017)
• Casinos Austria International: €133.88 million (consolidated, 2017)

Regulatory and Legal Issues

Austrian State Control

As a state-backed enterprise, Casinos Austria AG operates under significant government oversight:

• ÖBAG (Österreichische Beteiligungs AG) manages the state's stake
• Gaming licenses subject to public tender processes
• Strict regulatory compliance requirements

International Challenges

• Market withdrawals in multiple countries due to profitability issues
• Regulatory compliance in diverse jurisdictions
• Competition from online gambling operators

Significance for Switzerland

Relationship to Grand Casino Basel

Casinos Austria AG has never owned or operated Grand Casino Basel. Grand Casino Basel has always been operated by Airport Casino Basel AG with ownership:

• 90% Compagnie Financière Régionale SAS (France)
• 10% Arbalete Holding AG (Switzerland)

Swiss Market Presence

While Casinos Austria (Swiss) AG held minority stakes in some Swiss casinos (divested in 2009), its Swiss presence through Casinos Austria International includes:

• Grand Casino Luzern (operation/management)
• Casinò Lugano (operation/management)

Timeline

Sources

• Wikipedia - Casinos Austria
• Casinos Austria Annual Report 2017
• Die Presse - "Casinos Austria: Jede Menge rote Zahlen im Auslandsgeschäft" (November 10, 2011)
• Die Presse - "Casinos Austria: Konzern hält sich über Wasser" (March 30, 2011)
• ISA-Guide - Swiss Casinos acquisition announcement (July 30, 2009)
• iGaming Business - "ÖBAG and Sazka agree on joint control of Casinos Austria"