Palasino Group Launches Fourth Czech Casino with Live Tables

Key Takeaways:

• Palasino Mikulov introduces expanded live gaming options, including roulette, blackjack and poker, targeting Central Europe's growing demand for immersive casino experiences.
• The venue's development underscores operator confidence in the Czech Republic's regulated market, despite regional tax pressures.
• Integration of hospitality amenities like bars and lounges aims to boost dwell time and revenue from non-gaming sources.

Palasino Group, a prominent European casino operator, has broken ground on its fourth property in the Czech Republic, Palasino Mikulov, set to debut in the coming months. Located in the historic South Moravian town of Mikulov, the 1,200-square-meter facility will blend traditional architecture with modern gaming infrastructure. Key features include over 100 slot machines and dedicated live table areas for roulette, blackjack and poker, operated by professional dealers. Complementing the gaming floor, the site will house a bar, buffet restaurant and lounge spaces designed to foster a premium social environment. This marks Palasino's deepest push into Central Europe, building on its existing trio of Czech venues: Palasino Excalibur City, Palasino Wullowitz and Palasino Praha. The company, which also manages hotels in Germany and Austria, invested in the project to capitalize on Mikulov's tourism appeal, drawing from nearby wine regions and UNESCO sites.

Construction adheres to strict local licensing standards overseen by the Czech Ministry of Finance, ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering protocols and player protection measures. Palasino emphasized sustainable build practices, incorporating energy-efficient lighting and waste reduction systems aligned with EU green directives. The operator anticipates hiring 50 staff members, prioritizing local talent for dealer roles to maintain authentic service levels. Initial projections estimate annual footfall exceeding 200,000 visitors, with live tables expected to account for 40% of gross gaming revenue.

This expansion holds significant implications for the live casino sector in regulated European markets. As operators navigate fiscal challenges—such as the Netherlands' recent tax hike to 34.2% from 30.5%, which has curbed revenues without proportional state gains—Palasino's move signals resilience in land-based models. By prioritizing live dealer formats, the project addresses player preferences for interactive, social play over digital RNG alternatives, potentially setting a benchmark for hybrid venues that integrate live elements with online streaming capabilities. This could accelerate partnerships between brick-and-mortar operators and live casino software providers, enhancing remote access for cross-border audiences in line with EU harmonization efforts.

Furthermore, the emphasis on diversified amenities reflects broader industry shifts toward experiential gaming, where live casino tables serve as anchors for longer sessions and higher spend per visit. In Asia, similar trends emerge with Sri Lanka's impending Gambling Regulatory Authority launch by June 2026, which will oversee live casino compliance in physical and online spaces. Palasino's strategy may inspire Asian counterparts, like PAGCOR's recent data privacy pact with the National Privacy Commission, to fortify trust through robust oversight. Ultimately, such developments fortify the sector's appeal to institutional investors, projecting 5-7% CAGR for live gaming in Central Europe through 2030, while mitigating risks from regulatory flux.

Sources:

• Asia Gaming Brief: Palasino Group strengthens Central European footprint
• i Gaming Expert: Sri Lanka GRA operational timeline
• European Gaming: PAGCOR-NPC partnership