In southwestern France and the TH Finance concern of local businessman Thierry Hirigoyen has reportedly agreed to sell its modest Hendaye Casino venue to an entity of entrepreneurs Patrick Delahaye and Benjamin Frischer.
According to a report from G3Newswire, the pair’s L’Aventure simplified joint stock company is now set to take over the running of the property located in the seaside resort town of Hendaye before initiating a refurb that is to eventually see the size of its gaming floor increased by some 50% to 3,767 sq ft. The source purportedly detailed that this overhaul is to also entail the replacement of a full third of the facility’s 50 slots as well as the complete redevelopment of its lounge restaurant with a 50-seat outside terrace.
Humble acquisition:
Situated in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques department only a few hundred feet from France’s border with Spain, the small Hendaye Casino reportedly had a relatively unremarkable 2018 after racking up annual gross gaming revenues of just over €1.863 million ($2.218 million). The facility with its views out over the Bay of Biscaye nevertheless purportedly welcomed nearly 38,000 visitors that same year and is now due to entrust the operation of its slot machines to software from local enterprise Appolonia.
Additional arrangements:
Following the completion of the takeover for an undisclosed amount and L’Aventure will reportedly moreover bring in video surveillance giant Eurocap to equip the entrance of Hendaye Casino with a selection of thermal imaging cameras. This move is purportedly destined to provided guests with increased levels of security while simultaneously keeping the facility current with the latest coronavirus-related health regulations.
Youthful talent:
Despite being only 45 years of age, Frischer is reportedly a well-known figure in the French casino industry thanks to previous stints running the Hautes-Pyrenees’ Casino Cauterets and Casino de Capvern venues. He purportedly holds a 49% stake in L’Aventure and divulged that Hendaye Casino ‘really needed investment to bring it up to date.’
Reportedly read a statement from Frischer…
“The idea is to create a very cozy and warm club atmosphere. A traditional English roulette table will complete the existing blackjack and we also want to imagine a ‘dynamic and digital animation’ area.”
Important experience:
For his part and Delahaye is reportedly best known for owning the Club Berri venue in Paris, which he offloaded to French casino giant Groupe Partouche in May. A friend of Hirigoyen for many decades, the 57-year-old purportedly holds the remaining stake in L’Aventure and serves as its Chairman while having delegated the analogous post for its Hendaye Loisirs operating entity to Frischer.