The conversion of the theater in Olomouc into a casino will cost 100 million

Olomouc - The company Endl+K is investing approximately 100 million crowns into the renovation and reconstruction of the former Hodolany Theatre building in the outskirts of Olomouc into a casino. A new hotel is to be built next to the casino. Josef Bradáč from Endl+K told ČTK today. The Olomouc city hall sold the building of the Hodolany Theatre to Endl+K for 20 million crowns, having decided to reduce the number of gaming houses in the regional city by half and concentrate gambling into a smaller number of larger establishments that can be more easily monitored. However, some local residents disagree with the plan to build a casino in the Hodolany Theatre.
     "With an investment with total costs of approximately 100 million crowns, we aim to completely reconstruct the former theatre building so that a casino can be established within it, and also there will be space for a hotel next to it," stated Bradáč, according to whom people in the vicinity of the planned casino need not worry about disturbances to night peace or disorderly conduct. "The casino areas will be under continuous monitoring by cameras and security services. Every player will be required to register upon entering the casino," Bradáč pointed out. According to him, Endl+K also intends to continue supporting local people's sports activities in the Hodolany district.
     The Olomouc city council approved a new regulation on Monday that will eliminate half of the gaming houses by the beginning of 2015. While there are currently 114 gaming houses operating in the center and outskirts of Olomouc, the new regulation will gradually reduce their number to 57. The city hall also agreed with the gaming house operators to remove illuminated advertisements from storefronts and install security cameras. In contrast, a new casino is to be established in the former theatre in Hodolany, and a similar facility is planned in the new shopping complex Galerie Šantovka near the historic center. In exchange, it was agreed to close four large gaming houses before the end of next year.
     A petition against the new casino in Hodolany has been signed by around 1,800 people who are concerned about rising crime, disorderly conduct, and disturbances to night peace. The organizers of the petition called on the council members not to include the Hodolany Theatre on the list of approved gaming houses in the new regulation. According to them, the new casino could be built near a shopping center or in an industrial zone on the outskirts of the city. However, the council members eventually approved the proposal of the councilors, and nothing now prevents the establishment of a casino in Hodolany.
     According to the mayor's deputy Ivo Vlach (TOP 09), people have no reason to worry since casinos must register players and are equipped with a camera system. "A casino has a different clientele than a classic gaming house," Vlach stated. He claimed that the negative impact on public order primarily comes from gaming houses, whereas there are reportedly no problems with the two already functioning casinos in the city center. In Hodolany, following the approval of the regulation, the number of gaming houses should decrease from nine to four.