POKER MOM

A U.S. study to be released soon is considerable indirect costs associated with gambling, particularly in Quebec.

According to the paper, whose findings were unveiled Saturday in Le Devoir, the consequences of the game would cost billions of dollars to governments, including $ 2.5 billion in Quebec.

The study, conducted by researchers at Creighton University in Nebraska, takes into account the data regularly deviated from traditional surveys such as increased crime, personal bankruptcy or loss of business productivity.

The authors of the study, installation of a casino in a region has a significant impact on the local economy, and the negative effects outweigh significantly increased revenue from various taxes levied on gambling

Less obvious consequences

. “Politically, it is profitable to open a casino, Le Devoir said Edward Morse, one of the authors of the study. But economically, are numerous negative consequences, even if it is less obvious. ”

An economist from the University of Illinois has estimated that for every $ 46 of earnings, the game cost $ 289 to the company.

In total, the U.S. government must spend 54 billion U.S. dollars to counter the negative effects of addiction and other armed bandit video lottery.

Another American study by the National Gambling Impact Study Association, shows in turn that a player struggling with a serious gambling problem costs about U.S. $ 10 500 per year to the company.

This figure takes into account various costs including medical expenses related to the management of these addicts of the game, desperate to recover their investments.

In Quebec, a document produced by Laval University and directed by Robert Ladouceur shows that 2.1% of Quebeckers are totally obsessed with the game, or 140,000 people. 82.7% of Quebecers to play money games, against 78.9% in the rest of the country.

The annual bill of $ 2.5 billion is by far the largest in the country.

LAS VEGAS (AP) – He saw red and has bet his life savings on that color. The Londoner Ashley Revell, 32, has played 135,300 dollars (112,000 euros) at roulette in Las Vegas on Sunday and he doubled his bet.

Arrived at the Plaza hotel-casino in tuxedo rental with her savings in cash, he has exchanged cons chips, reported Rich Rose, president of entertainment and special events of the institution.

To warm up, Ashley Revell, who said he sold all his possessions to finance his left-or-double, has played little first before putting everything on red. A gamble filmed by a video crew.

The spectators, including his father and mother were watching him the ball which finished its rounds on the red 7.

Its earnings have been paid to the roulette table, Rose said. The 270,600 dollars in cash (224,000 euros) are now in a hotel safe.

One of the biggest hotel-casinos in Las Vegas has closed its doors Monday because of a power outage that has forced thousands of customers to go elsewhere to try their luck.

The 3,000 rooms at the Bellagio “remained in the dark after a major outage that occurred Sunday at 2:00 am. Since only reduced lighting supplied by a generator illuminates the very modest facade.

“I guess I’ll have to go elsewhere to spend my money,” said Bob Raf not without humor, a teacher from Michigan, asked in colonnnes the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

“We do not know what happened,” said Alan Feldman, a spokesman for MGM-Mirage, which owns the Bellagio.

According to the spokesperson, there are thousands of feet of cable to be replaced before the reopening of the hotel on Tuesday morning at the earliest.

The blackout caused the stop surveillance cameras but a collection of priceless paintings by Claude Monet that is exposed is safe, assured Feldman. There no reports of incidents or theft.

A total of 800 rooms were occupied Sunday night and 1,100 others were to be Monday. All guests were relocated to other hotels. AP

The appeal will be launched in the world’s greatest architects

Knokke-Heist ball is still in the dealer’s hand, but the wheel is already running. The games are not done yet, fans are preparing their stacks of plates. There will be a very good shot to play in the coming years … Knokke

In this second week of the Easter holiday, the first summer visitors stormed into the dam and many shopping streets of the seaside town. On a dune close to the Zwin, the mayor, hair in the wind and clutch, contemplates its beach and town, head full of plans. The closest in time, the building complex of the old pool (see below) which preparatory work is underway to bulldozers. The most ambitious of his career will be, cons, implement … a new casino in his good city!

The current casino in Knokke is one of the most famous of the coast which has five. The others are located in Middelkerke, Blankenberge, Koksijde and, of course, to Ostend. Like the latter, the Knokke Casino, which overlooks the Albert Beach, offers guests an upscale game room and an auditorium where there have been the greatest, not to mention a nightclub. The building was designed by architect Stijnen and opened July 5, 1930. “But today it has outlived its usefulness. It is exceeded. It shall be replaced, says the mayor of Knokke, Count Leopold Lippens.

“In the coming months we will introduce a call for proposals for a hotel complex, apartments and game rooms The new casino will also include a nightclub like now and we will keep the room Magritte existing condition.”

The appeal will be launched globally on notables and hope the answers of the greatest architects. “I think Sir Norman Foster – the famous British architect, author of the new airport of Hong Kong, the renovation of the Reichstag in Berlin and designer of the largest in Millau viaduct in the world – the American Daniel Libeskind – designer of the future new WTC New York – or people of the same value. Our project is not small. If it is economically feasible, it could represent several billion old FB. ”

The town will not invest in it, but privately will have a major role to play. As for the current owner, the family Partouche , he should be too, its current lease until 2016.

THE JACKPOT was expected and is the rendezvous. Two years almost to the day after their arrival in the casino of the lake, the slot machines have managed to double the daily attendance of the first gambling establishment in France. Since last December, major advertising campaigns by posting on the subway, on the radio – and even a giant slot machine made Porte Maillot – helped bring the crowds to 900 players per day currently.

Last year, they were only 550 daily. The assessment of the presence of 280 slot machines at the casino d’Enghien is the general opinion, largely positive. “It’s a success,” says its director, Bruno Cagnon. The fears are forgotten the first weeks before the casino traffic, parking congestion and arrival of a new form of crime. In addition, this new activity has boosted enrollment from 550 to 780 employees (administrative, security, catering …) including 110 devoted exclusively to gaming machines. Side town, the same satisfaction is required. “These are especially made the work at the casino and spa that satisfy me,” said Mayor UDF, Philippe Sueur.

The tie is not compulsory The investment has doubled from the forecast to reach $ 100 million at the end of the yard in a year and a half. The mayor does not forget the breath of oxygen that is the fat wallet lying on the lake for the city. The casino, which paid “only” 6.2 million euros in 2001, before the arrival of slot machines, has disbursed 12 million euros last year. The success has even forced the leaders of the institution to “democratize” access: a revolution in the engine room in which the tie is no longer required! “We had to adapt to the discontent expressed by some of our customers,” says the director of the casino. The tie was experienced by some as a constraint difficult to swallow. Another concession to the customer, the access rate has been lowered. Now the entrance is 10 € for the opening (10 hours) to 16 hours and 14 € until closing (4:00 am) and was previously from 14 € to 25 € . However, the casino d’Enghien, first of France in revenue, continues to defend a certain elitist image. Proper attire is required. The shoes are prohibited and the jacket is mandatory. Other features, access to the engine room under Enghien remains the only where you must present identification at the entrance. In spite of these constraints in a difficult economic environment, the casino d’Enghien succeeds more to fill up. The last batch of slot machines to 0.50 €, installed in October, has completed the range of those at 1 € and 2 €. The Director confirms: “It has to meet the wishes of customers to play longer with the same bet. “

The Barrier Group has just completed a series of renovations to its casino in Trouville-sur-Mer for which it reaffirms the ‘regional focus, friendly and open to all. ” These investments of $ 4.5 million occurred when the group Partouche preparing the installation of a casino in Le Havre where he has obtained the concession.

According to a new room of slot machines in March 2003, followed by the creation of a traditional games room, casino Trouville just opened for the 2004 season “Villa Tara.” The brewery is open to the sea has been entrusted to the decorator Jacques Garcia, who worked on the palace of the Sultan of Brunei and Fouquet’s, and the young chef, Eric Cocollos, the Bistrot de Lyon came from “Mr. Lacombe.

“This work had become necessary because a casino must be a leisure complex that offers different interests,” says the director of Trouville, David Parr. The brewery family, distinguished, while presenting a range of affordable prices “between this policy.

On the eve of the installation group Partouche Le Havre, the casino wants to affirm his vocation Trouville established “regional, friendly and offers a touch of floral scenery of the coast.” By playing on both the size chic but relaxed and open to all “that the establishment wants trouvillais make a difference. The casino employs 200 people, has a turnover of € 38 million with a customer base for half of Parisians and people from the Normandy region. It receives up to 7,000 people per weekend. “The Seine-Maritime 20% of our business,” said David Parr.

According to the director, the competition will inevitably impact of Le Havre, he remains serene, whereas Trouville provides another service. “A casino like ours exceeds its sole purpose of slot machines, casino specific city and vicinity. We position ourselves as a tourist destination in itself and part of the resort of Trouville dimension. Experience also shows that some customers are reluctant to come and play in the casino of the city where she lives, “she seeks to escape from their daily environment and preserve its tranquility.” The games are open.

The Interior Ministry expects that the legislation on gambling is amended to authorize the opening of the casino Ribeauvillé. The casino should be opened before the summer.

Authorize the casino opened Ribeauvillé in the current legislation, the record would lead directly to the Administrative Tribunal. The legal structure does not in fact what the law calls on the siting of gaming establishments, and competitors are looking for any misstep.

In summary, the city of Ribeauvillé ranked resort, meets the requirements to host a casino. But it has transferred competence to the tourism community of Commons. So this last structure that launched the procedure for public service concession for the construction and operation of the casino. But the law does not authorize it. A legal conundrum that blocks the opening of the casino, already built by the Accor Group and completed over four months.

Rather than give a negative opinion and wipe out several months of administrative procedure, the office of Minister of Interior appears to wait until the law changes and adapts to the intermunicipal (and if Ribeauvillé) to give green light.

Further decentralization

Reportedly, several departments of the Ministry of Interior are working in this direction, including the Directorate of Civil Liberties and Legal Affairs, but also the local branch, and especially the minister’s office. And several hypotheses are considered. First integration of the solution to the puzzle of Ribeauvillé in the draft law on local responsibilities, adopted at first reading by the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon. This text, the new wave of decentralization that Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, already contains a provision (Article 4a) amending the law on casinos and facilitates the opening of such institutions in Guyana. The text is based on second reading in the Senate and could in the weeks to come, be amended in the expected direction in Ribeauville.

But the legislative sector casinos can also be changed at the turn of another project or proposed legislation. A Finance Bill for example. More subtle still, a bill under consideration in the Senate aims in particular to modify the legislation on gambling by allowing the operation of casinos on ships flying the French flag. A provision could be included relating to the case of Ribeauville. Except of course approved by the Assemblies.

Not until the summer services from the Ministry of Interior have much to do since the casino Amnéville arouses like Ribeauvillé a stir that could change the legal landscape of casinos in France. Mayor Amneville in conflict with the operator, would like to create a municipal authority to manage the gaming facility of his town. It is likely that both cases are considered together.

The fact is that for the Casino Ribeauvillé, elected officials hope that a legal solution will be found before the summer. As for how long will its implementation and when will the doors open to the public, nobody knows. ACCOR group considering opening January 15.

Dealers and employees trained by a psychiatrist, awareness booklet given to visitors, the first casino in France addresses the “gamblers” when a former client ruined just sue the establishment of Vichy.

PLAYERS who spend more time at the casino staff, accustomed need consolation when a jackpot is won by transient guests, some who break the machines or take them to employees, other creaky literally when their credit card does not pass … Everything happens when the game turns into hell. First gambling establishment in France, the Casino of Enghien (Val-d’Oise) wants to be the first to launch a program of medical support to gamblers with the help of psychiatrists at the hospital of Colombes (Hauts- de-Seine) *.

It is not, however, to a psychiatrist behind each armed bandit. “Our interest is not empty until the last customer in the pockets, but to do it again. We need the game remains a hobby without becoming a drug “, says the casino manager, Bruno Cagnon. And the recent lawsuit filed by a player against the casino ruined Vichy, for “abuse of civil weakness,” encourages the Warden lakefront to take precautions. At Enghien, where 1500 players crowd each day, a few dozen at most would be affected by extreme dependence, according to management estimates. For now, the plan antidépendance casino comes down to the availability of players for an educational booklet entitled “Gaming is a hobby.” Such prevention is also specifically designed for fans of slot machines installed for just two years. “Because no technical knowledge is needed, since just press buttons and that attendance is more important than games,” said Laura Maria Bonora, psychiatrist in charge of education staff. It compares gambling addiction than alcohol, tobacco or drugs. The staff seems in any case relieved by this initiative. “We will track customers already in trouble, as some people asking to be allowed to board game, now we can advise them to consult a doctor by providing the address of the hospital,” J. Florence, an employee of the direction of the slot machines.

* Louis-Mourier, 178 rue des Colombes Renouilllers. Tel: 01.47.60.64.16.

J-1 for Casino de Bourbon-Lancy that tomorrow at 10 pm will offer a fleet of 80 machines. Despite the excitement of the final preparations, the operator is betting on a strong commercial development.

For his return, after twenty years of absence, the classification of casinos in France, the gaming establishment of Bourbon-Lancy advanced modestly to the 176th place on 180. Let Leborgne says group CEO of Viking , the concession company, a situation consistent with the outlook given eight months of operating without slot: The gross-Game-PBJ has indeed raised an April-December 2003-69 which € 296 € 35 467 for the ball, € 12,209 for blackjack and € 21,620 for roulette.

“But in 2004, the casino should point between the 50th and 60th place,” predicts Mr Huby, however, chairman of the board of the group operates a half-dozen gambling establishments Or, if one refers the 2003 season, a PBJ expected the order of 13 to € 17 million. For the meantime, more exactly from this Wednesday morning at 10 am, the site of Bourbon-Lancy will launch the operation of 80 slot machines. It is indeed they who provide 95% of the turnover of a casino, the average daily machine was estimated before harvest, at 445 €. Amounts that are dreaming but it should reduce significantly the scope.

At first glance of investments: € 3.3 million for the building of a first year operating deficit to the tune of one million € and the purchase of 80 slots is € 152 000. In view also levies on gambling operations, after a deduction of 25% by the state (80%) and common (12%).

On the eve of the opening, the optimism is turned on at the leaders who aspire for the site “very high hopes for commercial development ‘only casino Saone-et-Loire, Bourbon-Lancy can count on an interesting potential customers (also enhanced by the players of the Nièvre and Allier). Propose the same for opening a park of 80 machines should meet the latest high impact because it is the subject of a national first. Another asset of the payout (theoretical) devices that has been set very high: at 99.10% (the minimum being 85%). The fact also require an ID at the entrance of the games will help security of the premises, and similarly the image of a bank, financial flows (access to safe deposit boxes) are controlled by outsiders the institution. From Wednesday, the ball tables, blackjack and roulette will therefore feel a little less alone: ??Mr. Mermaz, director expects indeed a daily attendance of 6 to 700 people from 100 miles away. The games are made.

7 days on 7 and 18 hours per day

Wednesday from 10 am the clatter of chips will ring. Players will in fact at their disposal 80 aircraft: 32 videos, 16 and 32 rolls traditional poker. Among the machines, to note the presence of the “Tower of Power”, a device of 2.80 meters high with 24 rolls alone video unique. There is also a half-dozen slart-top (console bass). Four machines operate from 10 cents to € 23, € 0.20, € 37 to 0.50, 12-1 and 4-2 € €. All units have been approved and the computers controlling the rate of redistribution (99.10%) are sealed. The casino is open 7 days on 7 and 18 pm daily.

Regulars of slot machines have not missed the opening of Casino de Bourbon. Venus de Saône-et-Loire but also much further, the players took yesterday morning stormed the aircraft.

From the 10 o’clock, about fifty people lined up outside the doors of the Casino de Bourbon-Lancy, which yesterday put into service its 80 slots. Time to wait a quarter of an hour due to final adjustments and bettors discovered the game space, which in less than an hour, hosted over 250 players.

Virtually completed, the parking had a good half of cars registered outside the department: There is indeed a high number of plates Nièvre, Allier, Loire and Côte d’Or and a few vehicles Cher, Rhone etc. … Either a statement reinforcing what Mr. Le Borgne, CEO of the company Viking s Dealer of the institution: “The customer this morning is mainly composed of regulars gambling is normal because the opening of a casino attracts primarily people from outside who transmit information by word of mouth, at first we just see the latest in machinery. ” Conversely, few Bourbonists let alone guests: “She’s gone era when the therapy client spent more time at the casino in the treatment rooms. Inside, machines crépiten lampent the flash, the chips fall into the cups. Riveted to a machine they have rapidly adopted, the players, not divert their attention for very stealthily make their first impressions of the place: “You know the part I do not pay much attention there, what counts are the machines and some are at the top indicates a Nivernais. A Montcellien knowingly: “It’s always good to inaugurate a new park machines, the casino wants to make the pub and it is easier to win.” In the same vein a couple of Châteauroux: “We’re here by chance and when we saw the signs” casino slots “we immediately realized that this was an opening, c ‘ is an opportunity not to be missed because the devices are often not entirely resolved and the player finds his account more easily. ”

Few players below their thirties but conversely many women of a certain age and also retirees who did not and will not count, the image of Mauritius, a regular at Vichy, which the bucket full. parts, advises a newcomer while mechanically flap lever device “should not be believed; we are not here for fun, after four hours of play have is nervously emptied. The casino operator will say about them satisfied with this opening day seems to augur a good attendance.

Casinos Burgundians

The Burgundy region relies on its territory, in addition to Bourbon-Lancy, three other casinos operating slot machines. At head of sales, 2003 (the Poducts Gross Game) is that of Santenay-les-Bains (Côte-d’Or). Belonging to the group Moliflor (20 gambling establishments), it points with its 150 slot machines in 40th place with a GDP of € 21 million. The other two casinos are located in the Nièvre, in 57th position with a GDP of € 15 million, is Pougues-les-Eaux (on the outskirts of Nevers). The hotel with 80 slot machines belongs to Edge (20 casinos). Follows in 126th position Saint-Honoré-les-Bains property of the French leader casinos (the group Partouche owns 40), the institution operates 49 aircraft and has a PBJ equal to € 5.3 million. The group Viking s casinos has meanwhile, in addition to Bourbon-Lancy, 4 other gambling establishments: Houlgate, Castera Verduzan, Barbazan and Bourbon l’Archambault.