Casino Cosmopol business area

Casino Cosmopol operates four casinos. These are located in carefully renovated, culturally historic premises in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Sundsvall and offer a varied entertainment range consisting of classic and new, international casino games.

Net gaming revenue declined marginally in 2010 to SEK 1,190 million (1,198), and accounted for some 12 % (12) of Svenska Spel’s total net gaming. Net sales from gaming and other operations amounted to SEK 1,277 million (1,280). In 2010, operating profit was SEK 471 million (478).

Casino Cosmopol has an age limit of 20. Casino employees may not play at the casinos. The entrance to the Stockholm casino was rebuilt in 2010 to raise the level of security, and to enhance work logistics, guest flow and guest experience.

During 2010, the number of visits to the four casinos totalled 1,218,851 (1,212,224) distributed as follows: 439,340 in Stockholm (422,173); 354,480 in Gothenburg (348,572); 246,852 in Malmö (249,970); and 178,179 in Sundsvall (191,509).

Responsible gaming and role as host

The Casino Cosmopol business area has an extensive training programme for personnel and executives. During 2010, an efficiency-enhancement programme was launched for the organisation and processes.

Responsible gaming is an obligatory subject for all personnel at the casinos. During 2010, these efforts were aimed at priority groups, notably young men in the 20–24 age group, who – according to the latest report from the Swedish National Institute of Public Health – represent a risk group.

The casinos focus on outreach dialogues with guests who show signs of unhealthy gaming. During 2010, a total of 3,923 dialogues (3,546) were completed in respect guest gaming behaviour and how the particular persons experience their gaming. The casino informs guests of the possibility of a voluntary limit on the number of visits or of barring guests. In 2010, 2,282 guests (2,098) chose to conclude such an agreement with Casino Cosmopol.

As part of the responsible gaming programme, a gaming responsibility week was organised at each casino in 2010 with an information campaign about the downside of gaming and how it can be counteracted, in addition to seminars for invited stakeholders. Marketing of the casinos is highly restrictive, including a ban on TV and radio commercials.

Overall entertainment concept

During 2010, the business area focused increasingly on a new brand strategy with a joint move towards entertainment, gaming and restaurant operations. The purpose of this is to identify economies of scale and utilise the joint expertise among the casinos on behalf of the guests. The quality of the casino restaurants is high. For the seventh consecutive year, the Casiopeija restaurant at the Sundsvall casino was ranked as the best in the Västernorrland province.

Technology, security and control

Technology, security and control at the casinos are advanced and subject to continuous overhaul. During 2011, a new e-commerce system will be introduced for poker tournaments, package offers and other features. The procurement of a new guest registration system commenced, as well as a system for incident management and registration of money laundering matters. Breach of money laundering legislation is a focus area at Casino Cosmopol. In 2010, 311 reports of suspected money laundering were submitted to the police, and purchases using company cards were banned. For Casino Cosmopol, close cooperation with the Swedish Gaming Board, the Financial Police and other authorities is important in an effort to counteract crime at the casinos. The training of personnel is another key feature in combating money laundering.

Casino Cosmopol is refining its methods and training and is developing new, improved systems support and procedures on the basis of directives from the Swedish Gaming Board. All casino guests are identified, registered and are supervised by cameras.

Review of competition rules

During 2010, the Swedish Competition Authority initiated a review to ascertain whether Casino Cosmopol pursues competition-distorting sales operations, following a report from the Swedish Hotel and Restaurant Association. After contacts with the Swedish Competition Authority, Svenska Spel has drawn up an action plan in order to deal with the particular competition problem. Against the background of the measures that Svenska Spel plans to implement, the Competition Authority decided in January 2011 not to carry the matter further. The Competition Authority was positive to Svenska Spel voluntarily adjusting operations that could otherwise be questionable according to the new rules on competition-restricting public sales activities.