The European Dealer Championship 2022 roars back after a two-year absence to reclaim its title as the premier dealer competition in the European land-based casino industry.
This year’s event takes place on the biggest stage and grandest theatre in European gaming, the fabulous Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco. Staged over three days starting on May 16-18, EDC host, Société des Bains de Mer, welcomes 37 participants, 39 jury members and an expectant crowd of hundreds of spectators to witness the crowning of Europe’s finest dealers.
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ECA Dealer Championship is the longest-running competition of its kind in Europe, with croupiers chosen at the national level to compete in a knock-out tournament that involves technical skill, control of the game, hospitality and nerves of steel. Since its inaugural event in 2007, the European Dealer Championship has visited 13 countries and welcomed over 400 contestants and 2,000 spectators from across Europe and beyond. The muchanticipated Monte-Carlo event will be an extra special occasion as the industry reunites after so long apart in an extraordinary location.
In a battle to crown Europe’s best of the best, up to two talented entrants have been submitted from some of the biggest casino operators in the industry, including ambassadors from Austria, Belgium, Estonia, France, Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK, Monaco, ... are among the record number of 22 countries participating in this year's European Dealer Championship.
Thirty-seven jurors will oversee three main categories: technical skill, game control and hospitality in a fierce knock-out competition to establish the top all-round performer. Over the course of the competition, dealers will showcase their talent and skill on two of the most popular casino table games: American Roulette and Blackjack, alongside a range of side events designed to showcase their flair, including best chipper, best card handler, best cutting chips, best pushing stacks and best mathematician.
Swiss Casinos’ Tamas Adam is the reigning EDC champion whose technical skills, control of the game, and player-focused hospitality set the benchmark in 2019. He will be back this year as a member of the juror team. To claim the prize of best dealer in Europe in 2022, competitors must demonstrate smart thinking, quick hands and make managing chips, maths and socialising look effortless whilst being scrutinised by top independent international judges who have been dealers at some point in their careers.
All participants will gather on the evening of 16th May for a welcome reception at the Hotel Hermitage, where the lottery draw for the first-round groups will take place.
The winner’s announcement, prize-giving ceremony and celebration party on 19th May will also take place at the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo.
Commenting on the upcoming competition,
Per Jaldung, CEO of Casino Cosmopol, Sweden and Chairman of the European Casino Association, stated: In the absence of the EDC over these past two years, the camaraderie shown by our network of casino members has provided the beating heart of the ECA's response to the pandemic. On May 16, we meet in a location quintessentially recognised as a reference point for gaming and entertainment around the world to celebrate the art of gaming with our friends and colleagues from across the European land-based industry. The EDC 2022 is a chance for the world to witness the passion, professionalism and hospitality provided to guests across European gaming floors. Celebrating this immense skill and talent has always been the key aspect of the EDC, and we are proud to organise this year’s edition played out across the spectacular backdrop of Monte-Carlo."
Tournament Director Jaana Ruokamo, Chain Operations Manager at Casino Helsinki, Finland, added: "We look forward to gathering in Monaco for a unique edition in a symbolic location. It is thrilling to take part in an event that recognises our dealers' hard work and dedication and puts their achievements in the spotlight on the biggest stage in Europe. As judges, we look forward to not only scrutinising the technical skills and deliberating over the precision and craftsmanship of the croupiers but most importantly to the celebration of the social connections to play, fun and entertainment that only land-based gaming can provide."
“Casino de Monte-Carlo has been waiting for two years to finally welcome the best dealers in Europe to Monaco,” states
Pascal Camia, Executive Vice President of the Gaming Operations of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and Vice-Chair of the ECA. “Monte-Carlo is the perfect stage for both the comeback of land-based casinos in Europe and the celebration of the amazing talent and dedication of those working in our sector. It is our pleasure to welcome participants, jurors and spectators to Monte-Carlo to celebrate the Art of Gaming."
Hermann Pamminger, General Secretary of the ECA, concluded: "Given the magnitude of this year's event, this celebration of land-based gaming talent would not be possible without the sponsorship of leading companies in the supplier sector, and the ECA would like to thank Abbiati Casino Equipment, Clarion Events, CLS, CTC Holdings, Dallmeier, Galaxy Gaming, ICSE, Light & Wonder, Matsui Europe, Smart Rota, London Gaming, Holland Casino, Hippodrome Casino, Veikkaus and Tangam Systems for their kind support of the European Dealer Championship 2022."