For immediate release

Vienna, 21.06.2006 --- Casinos Austria International (CAI) today announced strong results for the year ended 31.12.2005. Revenues (win, registered tips, entrance) at its 62 casinos around the globe (not including the 12 casinos in Austria) rose by 25.4 % to a record EUR 883 million (2004: EUR 704 million), while visitor numbers were up by 8.7 % to 16.2 million (2004: 14.9 million).

Highlights for 2006 included the acquisition of Spielbanken Niedersachsen GmbH (SNG) in Germany, the opening of Grand Casino Brussels in Belgium, Casino Salta in Argentina and the casino on board the Silver Shadow, as well as the award of an exclusive license to open a new casino in Belgrade.

The Casinos Austria Group also reported a strong rise in consolidated revenues to EUR 3.04 billion, up 16.8 % year-on-year (2004: EUR 2.6 billion). Revenues from the casino sector (incl. CAI's 62 casinos and the 12 casinos operated in Austria by Casinos Austria AG) increased by 17.1 % to EUR 1.17 billion (2004: EUR 996 million), exceeding the 1 billion euro mark for the first time. Together, these 74 casinos in 18 countries and on board 9 cruise ships welcomed 18.5 million visitors, an increase of 6.9 % (2004: 17.3 million).

However, despite these successes, 2005 was also a challenging year, with a decrease in Group consolidated net income from EUR 39.1 million in 2004 to EUR 29.6 million in 2005 reflecting the extensive restructuring measures introduced at its 12 Austrian casinos.

At the beginning of 2005, negotiations were completed for CAI's acquisition of 100% of shares in SNG, the third largest casino operator in Germany and sole concessionaire in the state of Lower Saxony. The biggest single expansion in CAI's history, the deal gives it a major foothold in the German market. The purchase price of EUR 90.6 million includes a license for online gaming in Lower Saxony, with CAI planning to invest over EUR 40 million in SNG's casinos in coming years and launch an online casino platform in 2006.

Throughout 2005, work continued in the development of Grand Casino Brussels, the only casino in the capital of Europe. The exclusive new casino "soft opened" in December 2005, holding its Gala Opening in January 2006 to coincide with Austria's Presidency of the EU. With 21 tables and 206 slot machines, Grand Casino Brussels is already proving highly popular, while its bars and restaurant are rapidly establishing a strong reputation in Brussels.

In August, CAI and its partners in Argentina opened their 4th casino: Casino Salta in Salta's new 5-star Sheraton Hotel. In September, Casinos Austria Maritime signed a 5-year concession agreement with Silversea Cruises for the casinos on board its fleet of ultra-luxury vessels.

In April, CAI issued a public corporate bond to domestic retail and institutional investors in Austria. The initial issue volume of EUR 150 million was later increased to EUR 180 million in response to huge investor demand. The proceeds from the bond will be used primarily to finance CAI's expansion activities in Germany and Belgium as well as its plans to expand into Argentina, Chile, Japan, Serbia and the UK.

2006 has begun on a high with strong growth in existing operations in Australia, Europe, North America and South Africa and strong developments in the Asia, Europe and South America. Ongoing expansion activities include new casinos in Belgrade and on board the Silver Cloud and Silver Whisper, as well as the launch of the online gaming platform in Lower Saxony, the first legal online casino in Germany, and the continuation of work on the permanent location for Grand Casino Brussels in the rebuilt Anspach Center.

For the 5 months ended 13.05.2006, the Casinos Austria Group reported consolidated revenues of EUR 1.4 billion, an increase of 20.1 % compared to the same period in 2004 (EUR 1.165 billion). During this period some 7.7 million guests visited the Group's 74 casinos, an increase of 8.4 % (2004: 7.1 million).

For further information, please contact:

Hermann Pamminger
Head of Corporate Relations and Customer Care
Phone: +43 1 534 40 524
E-mail: hermann.pamminger@casinos.at