Small-town casino with a celebrity line-up for its anniversary

The Merkur Casino in the Westphalian spa town of Bad Oeynhausen will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on 26 September 2024 at the ‘Magics’ entertainment centre in Werre Park. The organisers are promising a major ‘red carpet event’ with special prizes, which will even feature stars from the national media landscape. Sylvie Meis and other well-known faces have been announced. The festivities are to last several days. A world star even attended the opening of the original house in 1980.

When it comes to German casinos, the Merkur Casino Bad Oeynhausen is not necessarily one of the locations with the most illustrious names. There is of course the Casino Baden-Baden, the Spielbank Berlin, the Spielbank Wiesbaden, the Spielbank Bad Wiessee or the Spielbank Bad Ems - all establishments with national standing and a far-reaching national reputation. Bad Oeynhausen, which lies in the east of Westphalia, is familiar to many people who do not live there - and above all commuters, professional drivers or travellers - especially because of the former city motorway, on which long traffic jams were the rule day after day. However, the town also has a very interesting spa and casino history.

Despite its relatively small size, the casino has been able to build up a loyal clientele over the years and secure a respectable place in the German gambling landscape, not least thanks to its combination of traditional casino flair and modern programme and entertainment offerings. This focus is also emphasised by the upcoming 25th anniversary at the current location, which will be celebrated with an unexpected line-up of celebrities, highlighting the importance of the establishment.

These stars are expected at Merkur Casino Bad Oeynhausen for the 25th anniversary

Merkur Casino Bad Oeynhausen is counting on a celebrity line-up to add a touch of glamour to its 25th anniversary on Thursday, 26 September 2024. With Sylvie Meis, Joachim Llambi and Christine Neubauer, three big names from the German media landscape will be walking the red carpet on 26 September. Sylvie Meis, known as a presenter and model, will bring international glamour to Bad Oeynhausen, while Joachim Llambi, former professional dancer and feared judge on ‘Let's Dance’, is expected to enrich the event with his sharp-tongued and charming manner. Actress Christine Neubauer, known as the ‘Queen of Heimatfilm’, will provide the necessary dose of celebrities from the acting world.

However, the anniversary not only offers a ‘star parade’, but also a special programme:

1. The ‘Big Casino Gameshow’ stands out in particular. A guaranteed top prize of 10,000 euros awaits here. And the best thing is - anyone can take part without having to stake a single cent. This unusual approach differs from traditional casino games and opens up the event to a wider audience that might not otherwise have found their way to the casino.
2. This will be followed on Friday 27 September by ‘Bingo with Cassy’ - ‘Germany's biggest bingo event series’ - which has already made a name for itself in the scene and is also a big hit at other Merkur locations. This event promises exciting entertainment for bingo lovers and those who want to become one.
3. The celebrations will conclude on Saturday 28 September with a big guest party, where a huge birthday cake will be cut and special games will be held. A celebration that will not only attract regular guests, but also curious visitors from the region.

Celebrities were already present at the opening of the original casino in 1980

The opening of the original casino in 1980 was a social highlight that put Bad Oeynhausen in the spotlight. Still located in the time-honoured Kurhaus, a historic building right next to the spa gardens, the event attracted an illustrious crowd of guests who crowned the start of gaming operations with a glittering presence. Among the celebrities were the celebrated actress Nadja Tiller and her husband Walter Giller, two popular actors of German-speaking post-war cinema. Pop star Katja Ebstein, who was at the height of her career at the time, was also among the guests of honour.

The absolute highlight, however, was the appearance of Gerd Fröbe, the internationally renowned actor who became world famous for his role as super villain Goldfinger in the James Bond film of the same name. Fröbe not only added a special touch to the opening with his mere presence, but also made his mark with a spectacular act: He threw a ball of 18-carat gold into the roulette wheel - a highly symbolic moment that impressively marked the start of casino operations. This glamorous event in the Kurhaus, which incidentally now houses the town's GOP variety theatre, put Bad Oeynhausen on the map of upmarket gambling entertainment.

Conclusion

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