Casino Interlaken and StarVegas.ch – a journey through time
Casino Interlaken and StarVegas.ch – a journey through time
When you think of Kursaal Interlaken, two things come to mind: the well-known casino and StarVegas.ch. The magnificent building in the Bernese Oberland was built as a casino more than 160 years ago. However, the gambling began much later. Travel through history with us.
Interlaken, Kursaalgarten – while the fountain outside is pattering peacefully, the slot machines inside are whirring relentlessly. Nowadays, the building with the picturesque view of the Schynige Platte and the Jungfrau is inextricably linked to the joys of gambling. But it hasn’t always been like this. Legal gambling without limits only began in 2002; since 2020, with the launch of StarVegas, also online. Prior to that, the Kursaal was used in many different ways: as a whey fasting institution, a beer hall, an event location, a theatre, a venue for concerts and frequently as a gambling location.
It all starts with a monastery ground
In the 1850s, a group of citizens from Interlaken has an idea: a convalescent home is to be built on the former monastery premises Inter Lacus. But the target group is not typical visitors of a convalescent home. Instead, the intention is to attract gamblers. The project gets underway on 2 April 1858 with the purchase of the grounds from the canton of Bern. Construction and operation is taken over by Baron Azène du Plessis, who realises the project in record time: the grand opening takes place only one year later, on 20 July 1859.
The end for money games
But the gaming bliss only lasts for a month: the Bernese district government imposes a ban on games of chance, while Azène du Plessis goes bankrupt and scarpers – the Kursaal must close.
As a rescue operation, it is kept in business as a whey fasting institution. Milk cures are popular at the time – but financially things could be better. However, from 1873, something new is built on the grounds: a bandstand is erected in the Kursaalgarten.
No money is coming in
Despite all these efforts, the money problem persists. To generate urgently needed revenues, jeu des petits chevaux (a French cross and circle game) is reintroduced in 1883. The “game of small horses” ranks among the benign games of chance in those days. The scheme works and earns a clear profit of CHF 15,000, but is also risky: there are concerns that the game of small horses for money might be banned soon. Because games of chance are prohibited by law in public houses, the Kursaal is unceremoniously declared a private establishment. Guests are from now on – at least officially – barred.
In 1898, the whey fasting institution is also verging on bankruptcy. Doctors question the effectiveness of the cures, and the popular tradition goes out of fashion. The new tenant is a beer tavern, and the rooms of the Kursaal are used for festivities.
Just before the start of World War I, more building work is done. The architect Paul Bouvier designs the Kursaal, which is now a listed building, with a concert, gambling and theatre hall for of all kinds of events. Thanks to this development, Interlaken becomes a congress venue.
The war years
With the start of World War I, a difficult period ensues that will continue until the mid 1940s. Almost the entire staff does military service, the economic figures are bad and the venue is quickly closed. The loss of 181,000 Swiss francs is possibly record-breaking, but that’s not all: a gambling ban enacted in 1920 forces the Kursaal to cease gambling operations.
At the end of the 1920s, a tug of war for financial survival begins. The gambling revenue is missing; the so-called casino initiative is supposed to at least allow for a restricted gambling operation with limited stakes of two Swiss francs. The Kursaal is in the black for a little while but has to eventually close again.
Things get better in 1946
In 1946, the Kursaal bounces back noticeably. Big plans are hatched out for the reopening: the Interlaken Festival. Despite the fact that the realisation of this project fails, the tenants are now banking on concerts as a source of revenue. And it’s a success: financially things are going well at the centennial celebrations in 1959. The event business is booming, and the Kursaal is a well booked location. At the beginning of the 1970s, more building work is done – the congress house finished in 1980 is believed to cost 16.3 million Swiss francs.
Back to the gambling roots
In 1993, a large majority of the Swiss people (72 percent) approves the establishment of casinos in a national referendum – after extensive reconstruction, the gambling resumes. Four years later, the Kursaal is ISO-certified, restored and the Club Casino is built. On 24 October 2001, Interlaken finally receives the land-based casino licence – Casino Interlaken starts on 3 July 2002 and welcomes about 90,000 visitors each year.
The event operations are also enhanced: a new congress hall is built and opened in 2010 as part of the 150th anniversary – Interlaken Congress & Events becomes an affiliated company.
StarVegas launches in 2020
Just in time for the 160th birthday of the Kursaal, it finally happens: StarVegas.ch is launched. In November 2019, Casino Interlaken obtains the necessary licence extension and commences with online gambling operations from 24 February 2020.
Casino Interlaken today
Nowadays, the Kursaal holding comprises two core areas: Congress Kursaal Interlaken AG and Casino Interlaken AG. Besides the casino business, the building steeped in history is a popular venue for conventions, weddings and events, and has been crucial for the city’s tourism for many years.
The bottom line
For more than 160 years, the Kursaal has always enjoyed halcyon days when gambling is allowed. Why that is remains a secret. Maybe it should have been all along what it is today: a magnet for gamblers from around the world.
