Spielbank Trier Plans Relocation: Historic Casino Eyeing Old Town Premises

The Spielbank Trier is facing a significant turning point. Since the 1980s, the casino has been located within the Mercure Hotel premises, directly opposite the famous Porta Nigra. However, this era is coming to an end. As the hotel operator is giving up the site at the end of the year, the sub-lease for the casino is also expiring. This is not a voluntary departure, but the management is already working hard to find a solution to maintain operations within the city.

Finding a new location is proving difficult because Trier's gambling statutes set strict rules. Many streets and neighborhoods are closed to gambling establishments. Nevertheless, a silver lining appears to be on the horizon. The old Treviris-Passage, a block from the 1980s that has seen better days, is currently being renovated for around 50 million euros. In this modern residential and commercial block, the future Quartier Treviris, the casino could find a new home. The basement level, which has been vacant since a ProMarkt branch moved out in the early 2000s, is currently under discussion.

Numbers and facts

The economic importance of the casino for the region is considerable. In 2024, the Trier branch recorded over 44,650 visitors. This number increased to over 49,400 guests in 2025. This corresponds to a daily average of about 135 visitors. Spielbank Mainz GmbH, which operates the Trier branch as well as locations in Mainz and Bad Ems, recently generated annual profits of around 2.5 million euros. The city of Trier also benefits directly: the city received an allocation of around 937,000 euros from casino taxes in 2025.

Michael Seegert, one of the managing directors of Spielbank GmbH, confirmed the negotiations for the new site. In the approximately 1,800 square meter area in the basement, a supermarket was originally planned, but these plans are apparently off the table. Seegert remains optimistic about staying in the city.

"Yes, we are conducting serious talks with the landlord, but there are still numerous things to clarify; the matter is not yet concluded." - Michael Seegert, Managing Director of Spielbank Mainz GmbH

Background

In contrast to ordinary gaming arcades, a Spielbank operates with a state license, which is issued by the Ministry of the Interior in Rhineland-Palatinate. The legal mandate is clearly defined: the public's gambling instinct should be directed into orderly channels to prevent black markets. In Trier, this also means strict state control. During opening hours, two tax officials are always present on-site to monitor proper gaming operations and the high flow of money. A significant difference to smaller arcades lies in the betting amounts. While machines in arcades have time and financial limits per booking, hundreds of euros can theoretically be wagered within minutes in a state casino. Therefore, player protection is particularly strictly regulated here.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the relocation of a state-licensed casino primarily means continuity in a securely regulated environment. Under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021), casinos are obliged to carry out strict identity checks. Every guest must show their ID card upon entry. This serves to cross-check with the OASIS blocking system. Anyone blocked due to a gambling addiction risk is denied entry. Staff are trained to seek dialogue immediately and offer assistance if suspicious behavior occurs.

Although different rules apply to land-based casinos than to online gambling under the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) with its 1,000 euro deposit limit and the 1 euro limit per spin on slots, the level of protection in Trier remains high. The presence of tax officials also guarantees that winnings are paid out fairly and all processes are monitored by the state. Players in Trier can therefore continue to trust that their hobby takes place in a legal and protected framework, provided the move to the Treviris-Passage succeeds.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For providers with a GGL license on the internet, the physical presence of casinos is a supplement, not a direct replacement. While online casinos are regulated by LUGAS and strict betting limits of 1 euro per spin, the Trier casino with its roulette table and 80 slot machines offers the classic "Big Game". The planned move into the 50 million euro Quartier Treviris shows that the land-based sector remains willing to invest despite growing competition from licensed online providers. An attractive location in the old town could increase the overall attractiveness of legal gambling and thus help keep players away from illegal offshore sites (MGA or Curacao) that are not permitted in Germany.