After a prolonged period of anticipation, Infiniti Casino has finally received the green light from the Directorate for Public Liberties and Legal Affairs (DLPAJ) to operate the Grasse Casino in the Alpes-Maritimes, France. This approval marks the beginning of a new era for the Belgian gaming group, which is set to manage the Riviera facility until the concession expires on December 31, 2026. The casino is scheduled for a grand opening in January 2025.

Expanded gaming options on the horizon:

The authorization granted by DLPAJ allows Infiniti Casino to install up to two traditional gaming tables and 50 slot machines, with the potential to expand to 75 slots if additional gaming tables are added. The facility will also feature 30 stations for electronic games, which could increase to 45 stations contingent on the operation of two traditional gaming tables. This expansion promises to enhance the gaming experience for visitors and increase the casino’s capacity to entertain.

Jürgen De Munck, CEO of Infiniti Casino, expressed his relief and pride in securing the operation rights, a process that has been in the works for over a year. “It is a feeling of relief and enormous pride, we have been working on this file for a year and, more broadly, we plan to be active in France for much longer,” De Munck shared with the Journal des Casinos.

The company is already in the final stages of discussions with various Slot Machine Manufacturers (SFMs) to ensure the timely validation of their order and anticipate the delivery dates of the casino models. De Munck is confident about the supply, indicating that there should be no significant issues with obtaining the desired models.

The mayor of Grasse, Jerome Viaud, who actively supported the initiative, highlighted the significant impact this project would have on the local economy and culture. “This step, which is decisive for the economic and cultural development of our municipality, is the result of determined cooperation and commitment of the municipality,” stated Viaud. The upcoming weeks are expected to see the casino becoming a key player in Grasse’s cultural and event scene.

Employment and renovations underway:

In terms of staffing, the optimism continues as several positions have already been secured, with ongoing recruitment primarily focusing on the kitchen and dining services. The renovations of the casino have been more extensive than anticipated, leading to a complete overhaul of the premises, including the installation of a new kitchen.

“We are decidedly safe and everything should go smoothly,” assured De Munck, according to Journal des Casinos as cited by G3Newswire. He also teased the community with talks of an official inauguration, promising to announce the date soon.

Infiniti Group officially took control of the casino operations following the municipal council’s decision on December 5, just after being appointed by the commercial court on November 20, 2023. This transition follows the revocation of the previous operator, Victoria Casino’s gaming license by the DLPAJ in August 2023 due to multiple violations. Despite these challenges, the casino managed to generate a gross gaming revenue of 676,490 euros in the 2021-2022 financial year, ranking it 199th in the French casinos.