Player Protection: 
Who will emerge as the champion at the roulette, blackjack and poker tables? The first preliminary round of the Casino Cup for Carinthia took place at Casino Velden on Wednesday, July 6. The winner of the preliminary round, ESV Admira Villach, is already one step closer to the main prize – a one-week training camp in the South – and has earned a fixed place at the national final round on September 12.
Three football clubs – including a women's team – competed in this first preliminary round: ESV Admira Villach (Carinthian League) with their captain Wolfgang Sima, ATUS Nötsch (1st Class B) with Harald Ottowitz and the women's team of SC St. Veit (Carinthian Women's League) with Sarah Pertl.
After a joint reception at the Captain's Meeting, it was time for action: the participants played 20 minutes each of roulette and blackjack, followed by 60 minutes at the poker table. What was at stake was not money, but tournament chips; it was all about the entertainment and the fun factor.
Just like in a football match, the fans will also play an important role in the Casino Cup: fans of participating teams who had checked in at the casino were able to support their club with a free “Supporter Bonus” ticket (available independently of the purchase of welcome chips). The collected tickets were then credited to the teams as additional tournament points.
After about 2 hours, many exciting coups at the roulette table and games of blackjack, the captains were able to put on their best poker faces, resulting in a thrilling final round in which Julian Arneitz from ESV Admira Villach ultimately prevailed. He is now confirmed to play in the national final round on September 12. Atus Nötsch came in second place and the SC St. Veit women's team in third.
Take note, football clubs: there are still dates available for anyone who'd like to take part in the Casino Cup. Clubs can register at any time. Whoever prevails at the Austrian final in autumn can look forward to a spectacular main prize: the winning team gets to take part in a one-week training camp in the sunny south. The Austrian final of the Casino Cup will be shown as part of an entertaining primetime TV show by PULS 4 in autumn of 2022.
Photo1: Sarah Pertl from SC St. Veit with bronze, Lukas Kogler from ESV Admira Villach with gold and Harald Ottowitz from ATUS Nötsch with silver.
Photo2: The winning team of ESV Admira Villach with Julian Arneitz, Lukas Kogler and Wolfgang Sima