| Paris, October 25, 1999. _ Accor Casinos today announced that it has
signed letters of intent for the acquisition of two French casinos, in
Besançon and Sables d�Olonnes, and won competitions for the concession
of planned casinos in Carnac and Briançon (France) as well as Dinant
(Belgium).
These five gaming facilities will strengthen Accor Casinos� network,
currently comprising ten casinos in operation (with estimated 1999 revenues
of 183 million/FRF 1.2 billion), as well as two casinos under development
in Bordeaux and Sainte Maxime (France).
The letters of intent for the acquisition of the Casino du Parc in Besançon
and Casino de la Plage in Sables d�Olonnes are subject to regulatory approval.
The Casino du Parc in Besançon, located between two Mercure hotels,
operates 130 slot machines, traditional gaming tables and a restaurant.
In 1998, it generated revenues of ?16.6 million (FRF 109 million).
The Casino de la Plage in Sables d�Olonnes, where Accor manages a Mercure
hotel and Thalassa International saltwater spa complex, offers traditional
gaming as well as 80 slot machines. In 1998, it generated revenues
of ?4 million (FRF 26 million).
The competitions won by Accor Casinos relate to the concession of casinos
in the following towns:
-
Carnac: the casino, facing the Thalassa International and hotels
complex, will comprise a ballroom, two restaurants, and gaming facilities;
-
Briançon: the specifications of the Briançon casino
will match those of Carnac. Both of these casinos should open in 2001.
-
Dinant (Belgium): facing intense competition, Accor Casinos was awarded
management of the Dinant casino, which will open in March 2000.
The award of this concession is in line with Accor Casinos� internationalization
strategy, following the opening of the Dragonara casino in Malta in June
1999 and the recent takeover of the management of the Cairns casino in
Australia, jointly with Casinos Austria.
Accor, whose 130,000 associates are active in 140 countries around the
world, is the European leader and a global group present in travel, tourism
and corporate services with two large international activities:
- hotels and complementary businesses, including travel agencies, car
rental, restaurants and casinos;
- service vouchers with Accor Corporate Services. |
