The owner of Bobycentra threatens: Casino or hostel for the socially disadvantaged

Brno - Either the operation of a casino will be allowed in the Brno Bobycentre, or socially weak individuals from northern Bohemia will reside there. This message was sent by Daniela Esletzbicherová, the representative of the owner, in a report by Czech Television. The owner aims to reopen all entertainment operations and the hotel and needs money for actual investments. "We need to make money somehow," confirmed Lenka Koutníková, who is responsible for organizing cultural events that returned to Bobycentre last November.
Koutníková had already spoken about the intention to open the hotel and other operations at the end of October. However, mainly the Laser Show Hall is currently in operation. The owner has an agreement with the company Kajot, which would finance gradual investments in the event of casino operations. However, since 2011, a decree has prohibited any gambling in the city district of Královo Pole, whether classic slots, video lottery terminals, or live games.
Last week, however, the City Council of Brno adopted a proposal for a new wording of the decree that would allow live games; the city assembly will approve it next week. However, video lottery terminals are crucial for the profit of companies operating gambling. The ban on all gambling was specifically requested by Královo Pole. According to information at the time, this was due to fears regarding the then-owner, Slovenian Tomaz Koprol, who wanted to build a giant casino there and his possible connections to the mafia from the Balkans.
The possibility of housing the socially weak from northern Bohemia was discussed by entrepreneur Marek Blabla from Krupka, who is a partner in the Prague firm Toska Holding, engaged in business in the automotive industry.
However, the Královo Pole municipality has not received any official information yet. "If this information were official, I would perceive it as pressure. The most favorable option that would solve the long-term problem is the construction of a new football stadium behind Lužánky. After that, the Brno assembly could consider an amendment to the generally binding regulation of gambling in that locality. A hostel for the socially weak is a shortsighted solution that would bother not only the citizens of Královo Pole," said the mayor of Královo Pole, Roman Vykoukal (ČSSD).
The Bobycentre is owned by the company Bobycentrum Alfa, led by Daniel Šorm. Currently, a bankruptcy has been declared for the former tenant, the company Bobycentrum s.r.o., which is, according to the enforcement inventory, the owner of movable property within the area. The insolvency administrator is still determining where the said property is located and how it relates to the current operation of the Bobycentre.