Storm International B.V.

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Super Slots	Shangri La
Jazz Town	New York
Udarnik	Carnival

HISTORY	stormbv.com / History

• World Gaming History

• Company History

COMPANY HISTORY

In 1992 Michael Boettcher came to Russia and opened the first casino later that year. The name of that casino was Casino Elite, which opened in a former restaurant and had four gaming tables. Other casinos followed; Kings, Queens, Wells Fargo and then Metropol, the first VIP casino in Moscow.

Several others were also opened in the former Soviet Union during the years between 1993 and 1995, including Kiev, Novosibirsk, Zaporogie, St. Petersburg and Irkutsk, amongst others, but which became unmanageable due to control issues and were subsequently closed. However, the experience and knowledge gained from travelling so much around the regions was invaluable.

In 1995 `Vinso-Grand Casino` opened in central Moscow. The constant aim was always to strive for better standards, innovation and keep international standards in a jurisdiction with no laws. It is fair to say that this was, and always has been, the essence of the company`s success. With the opening of `Vinso-Grand`, this philosophy proved to be particularly timely, because the middle class was emerging, who respected the quality standards that were being set. Vinso Grand was the first casino where people were not allowed to enter who were dressed in jogging suits, black leather jackets and sneakers, clothes so typical of the criminal element so prevalent in those times. The idea worked and the targeted middle class began to frequent the property.

Shangri La Casino opened in 1999 and quickly became a symbol of quality that was soon recognized as the Number One rated casino in Moscow. The billboard advertising campaign prior to the opening with the simple phrase “What is Shangri La?” will remain in the history of Russian advertising as one of the first teasers, realized in the outdoor advertising in Moscow.

Two years later, in 2001, the Super Slots Company was founded, as a separate holding of Storm International. Super Slots specializes in stand alone slot machine halls. The Company currently consolidates 20 halls in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, working under the Super Slots brand. The most famous gaming hall (one of the largest in Europe with more than 200 slot machines) is located in the entertainment complex Udarnik, where a year later a casino of the same name was opened in conjunction with the slot hall.

At the same time Storm International developed its own on-line system for slots which is accepted by slot manufacturers as the best in the market, being constantly updated through its own in-house development. The success of this system is one of the reasons that have made Super Slots the most efficient and most visited of all slot locations in Russia.

By beginning of the 21st century Storm International had already attained a significant market share in the gaming business in Russia and several new projects and expansions followed. Carnival casino opened in 2005 and then Vinso Grand, following a major, large-scale, multimillion reconstruction, was transformed into the entertainment complex of Jazz Town. The new Jazz club - an integral part of the complex - soon gained the reputation of one of the Moscow`s best clubs, which was later acknowledged by receiving a grand prix award in the contest arranged by the “Club and Music” publication in Russia. Earth, Wind & Fire, Alain Delon, Natalya Oreiro, Nikita Mikhalkov is just a short list of celebrities who honored the club with their presence. Different events are constantly held in Jazz Town, and the club is recognized as a true cultural centre.

In April 2005 the thematic casino `New York` was opened in Mayakovskaya Square, in the center of Moscow inside the landmark Peking Hotel. The main idea of the new casino was the re-creation of the unique New York City atmosphere. One of the best architectural and design companies, New Jersey company SOSH, provided the authenticity of the project and project managed the new venture.

A year later the holding enters St. Petersburg market with the largest project in the gaming business in the history of the Northern capital. The new complex “Shangri La-St. Petersburg” was opened in a major new shopping entertainment complex, Varshavsky Express. 120 slot machines, 25 gaming tables, 6 restaurants, 9 bars and a night club. Sadly, the company had to close the project due to the new Russian gaming law.

The company now unites five cultural entertainment complexes in Moscow. They are Shangri La, New York, Jazz Town, Udarnik and Carnival as well as 20 entertainment centers working under trade mark Super Slots (Moscow and Nizhniy Novgorod). More than 5,000 employees work for Storm International.
In early 2007 Storm made the commitment to take its brand and its management across the world and opened the first such venture just outside Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, by becoming partners in an existing casino in September 2007. As the management company as well as being a partner, Storm entered into a major renovation of the existing property and in April 2008 the Shangri La casino, Yerevan was born. With 24 tables and over 100 slot machines and with room for expansion, Shangri La, Yerevan, is now the finest facility in the region and is already a resounding success. More slot halls and slot halls with casinos are already in the development stages.

Gaming locations of the holding possess more than 2700 slot machines and 187 gaming tables.

Storm International continues to lead the Russian gaming business but now also has several projects in various stages of development around the world.

Apart from this there is always the possibility that gaming may continue in Russia, albeit it in another form, so Storm is keeping its options open.

Storm International is a company that is committed to the future and will therefore continue its expansion into the ever growing world-wide casino industry.

INTERESTING FACTS