Six casinos run by French gaming operator Lucien Barrière are on a list of the Top 10 performing casinos in France. The firm’s casinos in Enghien-les-Bains, Blotzheim, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Deauville and Lille all finished in the Top 10. Barrier Casinos are the group’s main business in terms of turnover, accounting for 75.5 percent for the 2019 fiscal year that ended October 31.
Barrière said it’s ‘consolidated its position as a leader of casinos in France and in Europe’ with the rankings.
Casino Barrière Enghien-les-Bains topped the list for the 18th consecutive year, with gross gaming revenues of €160 million (US$173.5 million).
Dominique Desseigne, president and CEO of Barrière, credited “a proactive group strategy with an intensification of investments in the games offer. Despite a complex economic and social context, Barrière has multiplied initiatives and innovations, in particular with the regular diversification of its slot machines and electronic games, testing of new games, an ever more aggressive and targeted marketing policy, and an ever more festive entertainment program.”
“The new Carré VIP loyalty program has been a resounding success and its deployment is continuing: more than 50 per cent of turnover now achieved by card customers,” Desseigne added. “In order to win over new customers, notably a younger audience, Barrière organizes and hosts the Barrière Esport Tour, innovative and festive shows bringing together the biggest French digital influencers.
“For the coming year, Barrière Enghien-les-Bains plans to continue investing in new concepts, including the creation of a high-end table games room,” Desseigne continued. “Casino Barrière Blotzheim maintains its position of No. 2 in the ranking with a gross domestic product in excess of €50 million.” To maintain the company’s lead and, four Barrière Casinos, located in Toulouse, Blotzheim, Saint-Raphaël and Carry-le-Rouet will be renovated and expanded in 2020, he added.
More than 9.5 million people visited the casinos in 2019, according to the company. “This enthusiasm shows that the casino is more than ever a place that brings together all generations—a place of conviviality and leisure, with nearly 3,500 shows and events offered every year,” Desseigne said.
In 2019, Barrière marked the 10th anniversary of Responsible Gaming, its national program dedicated to minimizing risks for gamblers.
