German gaming powerhouse the Gauselmann Group has struck a deal with cruise operator TUI Cruises to operate two casinos on its ships.
Aboard TUI Cruises’ new Mein Schiff 1 liner, it will operate a ship’s casino under the Casino Merkur Mare brand. A second casino will be established on the Mein Schiff 2, which is currently under construction and will set sail on its maiden voyage in 2019.
The 120sq.m-plus casino on the Mein Schiff 1 has a boutique design and includes a variety of Gauselmann slots, a 14-place table featuring electronic roulette and blackjack and a two-player pusher.
Beyond the area covered by the gaming licence, Casino Merkur Mare is also installing driving simulators for younger guests. The staff that will run the operation all have previously gained professional experience with the Gauselmann subsidiaries Casino Merkur Spielothek and also in other Merkur casinos.
“They will also be extensively trained for their new jobs to ensure they are optimally prepared to cope with the specific demands that go with working in a ship’s casino,” explained Kathy Schröder, head of casino operations at Casino Merkur Mare.
This is not the first time Gauselmann has ventured out to sea with its operations. It was first granted a licence to operate casinos on cruise ships in 2016. Its maritime brand already operates four casinos aboard vessels belonging to the Spanish Pullmantur Cruceros cruise line.
Dieter Kuhlmann, management board member responsible for gaming operations within the Gauselmann Group, said: “The partnership with TUI Cruises marks another milestone in the over 60-year history of the Gauselmann Group. In Germany, the gaming industry is subject to increasingly restrictive statutory regulations, with the consequence that the focus is shifting more and more towards international activities. Casino Merkur Mare is another step in this direction.”
He continued: “The ship’s casino business is another opportunity for making the Merkur sun even better known internationally and at the same time places the gaming operations business segment on a broader footing. We hope to continue to expand this line of business in the future.”
