Christoph Boo from Casino Zurich, Switzerland triumphant at Casino de Monte-Carlo
The two-year wait to find and crown the European Casino Association’s ‘European Dealer Champion’ ended in spectacular fashion at the Salle Medecin, Casino de Monte-Carlo on May 18, 2022. Two days of intense competition saw 40 participants from 23 different European countries display excellence in the ‘art of dealing’ against the stunning Monaco setting of Casino de Monte-Carlo. Proving their skill across all the disciplines, Christoph Boo from Casino Zurich, Switzerland beat Daniel Rhodes, Hippodrome London and Zoltan Horvath, Casino Györ, into second and third place, to win a thrilling final to rightfully be named this year’s European Dealer Champion.
The 14th edition of the ECA’s European Dealer Championship took place on the biggest stage and grandest theatre in European gaming, the fabulous Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco. Société des Bains de Mer, welcomed a record number of participants, jury members and a crowd of hundreds of spectators who witnessed Europe’s finest dealers in action.
Reflecting on his performance, Christoph Boo stated: “This is amazing. I never expected to win when I came to this amazing place, with all these fantastic dealers. I am so proud to have won this competition and to be crowned European Dealer Champion 2022.” In addition to the main prize, in which participants had to prove their talents in the traditional and most popular casino games of American Roulette and Blackjack, a variety of side competitions focused upon special disciplines to find croupiers that have mastered chipping, card handling, cutting chips, pushing stacks and mathematics. The following winners showed their skills in these speciality events:
- Best Card Handler: Christopher Conceicao, Casino de Monte-Carlo.
- Best Cutting Chips: Noemie Serra, Casino de Monte-Carlo.
- Best Pushing Stacks: Paul Gaitan, Casino Cosmopol.
- Best Mathematician: Marzen Zdanowske, Casinos Poland.
- Best Chipper: Paul Gaitan, Casino Cosmopol.
Each of the side event prizes was sponsored by London Gaming for €400. The third place prize of €750 was sponsored by CTC Holdings. The second-place prize of €1,500 was sponsored by ICSE and the main prize of €3,000 for the champion was sponsored and presented by Light and Wonder. A special surprise was also awarded to the champion at the Winner’s Party on the final day, of a cruise provided by Carnival Corporation.
The 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 much-anticipated Monte-Carlo event was an extra special occasion as the industry reunited with friends and colleagues after so long apart in an extraordinary location.
Pascal Camia, Executive Vice-President of Gaming Activity, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains dear Mer: “It has been a great pleasure to host such elite dealer talent from so many European land-based casinos here in Monaco. The competition was intense, thrilling and most importantly, fun. It was a great achievement for Casino de Monte-Carlo to have two finalists in this year’s competition in Noemie Serra and Christopher Conceicao. All the participants created an atmosphere of competitive rivalry, sharing their skill and know-how with their peers in a fabulous final that found a worthy champion in Christoph Boo.”
“Judging the competition was extremely difficult, as the standard of the dealing talent at this year’s event was of the very highest order. It has been a pleasure to witness the skill and determination of all the dealers taking part in Monaco this year. The participants acquitted themselves with the same great composure and professionalism that they show every day in their home country casinos. Congratulations to the winners and my thanks to all the competitors for making this event such an incredible and memorable tournament, and to our host, Casino de Monte-Carlo, for providing the most remarkable location for the championship,” stated Jaana Ruokamo, EDC 2022 Tournament Director and Chain Operations Manager, Veikkaus Oy.
“I would like to thank our hosts, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains dear Mer for providing the picture-perfect backdrop to this year’s event,” commented ECA Chairman, Per Jaldung. “It has been a privilege to witness the operational excellence first-hand; the world-class customer hospitality and share in the Monte-Carlo experience with our friends and colleagues. We are an industry built on the talent of our dealers, who are the first point of contact with our customers. Our dealers are the essential ingredient in our live gaming environments. The EDC showcases the incredible diversity of talent nurtured by the land-based gaming industry, which employs over 50,000 people in Europe. Congratulations to Christoph Boo for rising to the top of an outstanding field of competitors. We look forward to welcoming Christoph back next year to judge the championship in 2023.”
The ECA is grateful to the sponsors of the EDC 2022: Abbiati Casino Equipment, Casino Helsinki & Tampere, Clarion Events, Casino Locking Systems, CTC Holdings, Dallmeier, Galaxy Gaming, Hippodrome Casino, Holland Casino, ICSE, Light & Wonder, Matsui Europe, Smart Rota and Tangam Systems.
The European Dealer Championship will return in 2023 in Cyprus hosted by City of Dreams Mediterranean. The European Dealer Championship (EDC) is the long-running competition organised by the ECA that takes place yearly at an ECA member casino. Croupiers chosen at national level compete against each other in a competition that involves technical skill, control of the game and hospitality. Also taking place are competitions to find the best chipper, best card handler, best cutting chips, best pushing stacks and best mathematician.
The European Casino Association (ECA) represents licensed land-based casinos in Europe, with 28 member countries and over 50,000 direct employees supporting local economies across Europe. It has members from nearly all EU Member States and some non-EU countries. The primary purpose and objective of the ECA is to support and promote Europe’s licenced and regulated casinos.
