Reuters) – The general meeting of Groupe Partouche , held Friday, could be the occasion for the famous casino group to make a point on the discussions with the investment fund Cinven and Permira under the proposed acquisition of five casinos in Didot-Bottin an amount assessed by the Figaro to 200 million euros.

As part of this new external growth, Groupe Partouche has initiated negotiations with the two funds, which could result in a change of control of capital and hence a public offer to minority shareholders’.

Shares amounting to more than 60% in the capital of the eponymous group, family Partouche therefore does not see the option to concentrate in the capital while still retaining a say over the operations of the company.

To believe the Echos, Financial Partouche , family holding company, negotiate the sale of parallel institutions Le Meridien Part-Dieu (Lyon) and the Hotel du Golf Tower Salvagny. Both hotels could be picked up by Rezidor SAS Hospitality for an undisclosed sum. At the Paris stock exchange, the action group Partouche advance of 0.3%.

Candidates for the operation are Belcasinos, Eurocasino, Accor Casinos Austria. The City is given between three and six weeks to review the offers.

The City of Brussels is playing its cards and the roulette ball stopped on the number “9″. The ninth Belgian casino will open its doors in 2007 at the Galeries Anspach.

Yesterday, about 11 hours, was held in Brussels City on Tenders candidates casino operators in Brussels (a score of tender documents had been removed during the tender has closed on 22 April). Verdict’s counting? Only four bids. But deals could not be more serious.

Who is bidding? In one, Belcasinos. A powerful group (two shareholders: Partouche Verdonck and family), the management 100% Belgian. It manages the casino in Ostend, Chaudfontaine and Spa. In two Eurocasino, which includes Belgian industrial and Holland Casino, Dutch public company. In three, the French group Accor. There is also a European size and the grant of a twenty establishments. And four, Casinos Austria. Also a public corporation which operates casinos in Austria.

The candidates set for operators is not really negligible: the specifications drafted by the City of Brussels is extremely restrictive to the point that some are questioning the viability of a future casino. The operating agreement will cover 15 years, which is low given the lessee’s obligation to renovate and operate the hall of the Madeleine, pending the opening of the casino Anspach. A very short time to “return” a significant investment.

The constraints are also expressed in terms of jobs (450 full-time expected) and in terms of royalties. The Region expects a windfall annual 20 million euros. The City corseted operating conditions, taking the transition from solid royalties. As for the renovation of the Galeries Anspach, it is estimated at 50 million euros at least. The future operator must have deep pockets.

The City is given between three and six weeks to analyze the offers serenity. The first step after skinning, will assess how the deals stick with the criteria for elimination.

In any case, this casino will be the largest in the country. Galeries Anspach totaling 31,000 m2. According to the long lease of 99 years between the City (owner) and Bernheim-NGBA-Cofimo-Fortis, the future complex (10,000 m2, more than 300 “slots”, thirty tables) will have, in addition to the casino, a 150-room hotel, 3,500 m2 of dwellings and 9,000 m2 of shops.

To avoid unpleasant surprises (possible use of the unsuccessful candidates), the City adopted a low profile and tries to do the minimum of publicity surrounding the case. The next steps? The choice of the City must be approved by the council. Then it will be submitted to the lottery commission. As long as the renovation of galleries, the casino will live temporarily at the Madeleine (Rue Duquesnoy), a site described as ideal by some operators prospective candidates. In point of regretting having to move to Galleries …

The last general meeting of Groupe Partouche has confirmed the upcoming takeover of casinos with the group Didot Bottin. The transaction could be completed by the end of June.

Didot Bottin will sell out its business line casino before the summer, and probably by late June. This was confirmed Friday Patrick Partouche , CEO of the group, told shareholders attending a meeting. Didot Bottin The group has sold five facilities, four in France, the fifth is located in Switzerland. The whole constitutes a turnover of 110 million euros, slightly more than 4% share of the French market.

In addition, discussions are continuing with the investment fund Permira and Cinven, to provide more funding to the group of casinos. A change of control could even speak, Isidore Partouche , which owns nearly 60% stake in the group, being prepared to be diluted below the threshold of 50% as part of the operation. Under these conditions, a bid would be given to shareholders of Groupe Partouche .

We did buy the stock as speculative March 12, around 15 euros, to play a better value. It is now worth 17 euros (+12%). Now we keep.

Justice has finally settled. After four years of investigation that led last March 8 hearing on a criminal court in Perpignan, the release of Jacqueline Triaire, better known under the name Alduy, senator, mayor and general counsel of Amelia 1959 2001, Claude Florensa Andre Pierlot, Barascud Bertrand and Jean-Luc Vicens in the case of the casino to Amelie-les-Bains.

The five personalities have appeared including “harm or complicity in undermining the freedom of access or equality of candidates in public procurement, receiving stolen property from infringement of freedom of access or equality candidates in the procurement and illegal acquisition of interests. ”

The case dates back to 1998 following a complaint filed by Carol Malortigue, whose family operates the casino in the town in the Pyrenees-Orientales since the mid-50s, denouncing the conditions of transfer of public service delegation for the resumption of the casino.

There was crime of favoritism? This is what Mr. Amiel-Donat, Carol Malortigue board, will attempt to demonstrate to the court in March. These arguments were not heard by the judge who dismissed yesterday Carol Malortigue its complaint and its civil action.

On average nationally, a player bets € 11.6 for a challenge to the PMU. As the years passed, the Alsatians are addicted: € 12.66 for the Bas-Rhin, € 13.37 for the Upper Rhine despite the sharp rise in unemployment, + 10% in a year in Alsace. “The one-point increase in unemployment translates into 3% drop in sales for Paris,” said Lucien Matzinger, the president of racing Strasbourg and member of the GIE-PMU.

The most dramatic declines in the Upper Rhine, affecting the two leading cities of the game, Mulhouse further work in the tram-train in the city and St. Louis because of the casino opened in Basel, just the other side of the border.

It is a low-Rhin punter who holds the record earnings in 2003 with € 321 186. Five players (3 in the Bas-Rhin, 2 in the Upper Rhine) have kidnapped earnings above 150,000 euros.

Growth Drivers

For the rest, following the publication of the results presented yesterday by Mr. Christian Winnicki, regional director of the Northeast, and Laurent Loisel, director of the Region Alsace, Paris on horses are doing well with sales in Alsace Business of 212.9 million euros in 2003 (+5%). Only problem: the decline of 7.2% of the games direct (by telephone, Minitel, interactive television and now Internet), perhaps because the network of outlets is expanding (204 establishments of which 11 are equipped with automatic kiosks ). Note that Alsace has the distinction of having points PMU in 30% of tobacco shops against 12% for the old France. But as one of the growth drivers of the PMU is the game live (and especially the race by race), which requires space for the television broadcast and reception of guests for several hours.

What type of betting privileges does one in Alsace? : The coupled-matched (27.2%) before the quinté + (25.5%), the carryover (20.2%), the trio (7.4%), tiercé (5.6%) quarter (5.4%), the trio (7.4%), multi (4.4%) and 2 of 4 (3.3). Note that from the summer, a seventh quinté + will be held weekly on Mondays. Another line of development of the PMU, paris spot. 77% stake (4.7 million) relate quinté spOt +, 14.8% (0.9 million) multi spOt and 8.2% (the 0.5 million) on 2 to 4 spots. “Besides, says Mr. Winnicki, increased paris is such a priority to attract new customers. Besides signage totally different from the PMU is set up. “

Loto-Quebec is toying with the idea of ??expanding the Montreal Casino, or to move near the Old Port. In its current state, the casino does not meet the requirements. It proposes to construct a parking lot with 2,000 spaces, an auditorium seating 1200 and a small hotel with 100 seats.

If one opts for the move, we propose a complex including a hotel of 200 to 300 rooms, an auditorium of 1250 seats, 4000 parking spaces, a spa, shops and an exhibition center. The casino would be located in the Peel Basin, near the intersection of Bridge Street and Wellington, and the project would fit into the revitalization of Le Havre.

Moreover, Loto-Quebec also recommends the Government to move the Hippodrome de Montreal on the outskirts of the city in the northern suburbs, and to establish a center of play

WÜRZBURG, Germany, May 14 / PRNewswire / – The share of the company’s casinos in the Principality of Monaco draws attention to the Paris bourse. Since last February the title went from 175 EUR to 285 EUR. He is currently a quota to 260 EUR. As such, normally slow to follow, was a record trading volume.

The casino is owned by the Societe des Bains de Mer Monaco (SBM). This company has a monopoly on gambling in Monaco since 1863 and is also one of the largest property owners in the Principality. She owns among others the legendary Hotel de Paris, the Hotel Hermitage, monument, and the nightclub “The Jimmy’z>>.

Share-Infos, a German specialist in research, whose studies are read in 16 of the 20 largest banks in Germany, exposes the underbelly of these speculations in a column. According to information from Info-Share, the holders of shares floating in the medium term will be offered a lump sum transaction following which we expect the division of SBM in two separate companies.

In June of last year, SBM has signed a strategic partnership with the billionaire casino entrepreneur Steve Wynn, American. In his own words, Wynn wants to revitalize the site of the Casino of Monaco. Currently, Wynn built the most expensive casino in the world, 2.5 billion USD in Las Vegas and is looking for sites for new large casinos outside the United States.

According to information from Share-Infos, SBM and Wynn would consider building a floating city in the Bay of Monaco. It could house a casino extraordinary. The study of 85 pages of Share-Info contains ancient architectural plans for such a project. The Principality has already studied the costs and have also negotiated the maritime border with France.

Once the expansion of the Port of Monaco (the proposed “Port Hercules”) completed construction of a city ocean represent the logical development of the tiny principality. Prince Albert, heir to the throne of Monaco, has already confirmed that “the only direction in which Monaco is able to extend the sea>>. Monaco engineers would also contact the Emirate of Dubai which is currently undertaking the largest project in the world for filling artificial offshore island with its subdivisions “The Palm” and “The World>>. Prince Albert would just make a trip to Dubai, April 4, 2004, to learn about “The Palm>>.

After the equity of SBM in Wynn Resorts (Nasdaq: WYNN) Share-Info also expected to participate in cross Wynn Resorts (SBM 3118.PA / ISIN MC0000031187). Since SBM has a number of key properties in the Principality, the first split in a branch estate and casino industry seems likely. Wynn and could only take stakes in the casino business. Wynn participation in real estate is not desirable for local political reasons. In addition, Wynn should not be interested in acquiring existing buildings.

Share-Based Information should expect privatization of SBM. The Grimaldi family already owns 69.6% of the shares and the family of American billionaires Johnson (owner of the private equity “Fidelity”) owns 5.41%. The Johnsons also own shares in Wynn Resorts. Contractually, the SBM has a monopoly on casinos in Monaco until 2027. Thus the construction of the new casino in Monaco can not be done without the SBM. The association with Steve Wynn would be for shareholders of the SBM developing the most decisive since the entry into the capital of the Greek billionaire Aristotle Onassis shipowner who, in the 60s, was at one time the largest shareholder of SBM and had revitalized Monaco at the time with great success.

According to information obtained by Share-Infos, SBM is highly capitalized. In 1863, the company has already acquired 100,000 msquared land in the best districts of Monte Carlo and have literally paid the price of arable land. The price at the grant of EUR 260 would be covered by half of the financial reserves and liquid height of approximately 139 EUR per share. Share-Infos evaluates the substantial value of SBM at 930 approximately EUR per share.

With an estimated six months to over EUR 450, Share-Infos recommends buying the title. By 12, see 24 months, shareholders will receive restitution in the amount of the substantial value of 930 euros per share. Recently, the stock trades to Berlin (WKN 852401).

The study contains detailed information sector of European casinos and treats groups of casino games and MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGG), Harrah’s Entertainment (NYSE: HET), Caesar’s Entertainment (NYSE: NET), Station Casinos (NYSE: TNC), William Hill (WMH.L), Wembley (WMY.L), London Clubs International (LCI.L) Rank Group (RNK.L), Gala, Stanley Leisure Organisation (SLY.L), Groupe Partouche (5354 . PA), Casinos de Deauville (5200.PA), Lucien Barriere, Accor (12040.PA) and Didot Botin (3747.PA) and private equity firms Cinven, Colony Capital and Permira, which are active in the Casino sector.

The complete study is available in German and English on-site www.share infos.de. Share-Infos has been published since 1998 and is one of the oldest German stock market information service online. The service is considered a leading information of speculation for candidates for privatization. Swen Lorenz, international journalist, is editor in chief and his works have been published in 30 editions in 9 countries. Since April 2004, Share-Info is also available in English.

About 3000 workers blocked the entrance to the Friday Casino de Montreal to show their opposition to the policies of the Charest government. Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have left out players, but have encouraged those who wanted to get them to turn back.

The demonstrators denounced the law that forces the merging of unions in health care facilities, and the absence of negotiations for the renewal of collective agreements in the public sector.

This event forced the Casino management to cancel a show to be held in the afternoon.

Protesters have targeted the Casino because, they say, the government of Maurice Duplessis had decreed that lottery revenues would be paid in health and education.

The Lydia Barcarès boat casino, will open its doors Wednesday after seven years of inactivity and a buyout group Partouche first casino group in France and Europe, said Tuesday the new administration of the gambling establishment .

Built in 1931 in Norway, the ship which first broke the Australian flag was Barcarès failed to become a floating casino in June.

Lydia The society has been owned by a Greek company, then by a wealthy Japanese before moving in 1973 into the hands of Alain Ferrand and Francis Perez, then head of the “Grand Casinos of the South”. These two people were prosecuted and convicted several times for “serious shortcomings in financial management” and “lack of transparency”, and the casino closed since 1997.

In February, the group Partouche has acquired 100% of the companies owning the property.

After renovations specifically intended to “find a 30′s atmosphere”, the casino offers during the first season two tables of Roulette, Blackjack and a “stud poker”. A semi-gourmet restaurant and a panoramic disco complete equipment of this floating casino.

Slots, or “bandits”, who do most of the income of gambling establishment can not be installed for the second season, as is customary.

Lydia The is the ninth casino in the Pyrenees-Orientales, the others are located in Argeles, Saint-Cyprien, Canet, Amélie-les-Bains, Le Boulou, Font-Romeu, Collioure, and Vernet-les-Bains.