Grosvenor Dealer Makes World Champion

Grosvenor Casino's dealer Pete Sweet upgraded last year's title of European Dealer Champion by taking top spot in the inaugural International Casino Dealer Championship, hosted by TCS John Huxley at this year's International Casino Exhibition in London.

The final of the competition, sponsored by Novomatic, Vendingdata and Copag, took place on January 27 where onlookers watched Sweet steal an edge over dealers from around the world.

The competition was even tougher this year stepping up a level from last year's European event. Organisers brought together 12 dealers from around the UK, Europe, Latin America, Australasia, and South Africa to find the world's best.

Sweet, an inspector, revealed: "To win the competition last year was a complete surprise for me but to win twice is fantastic!Last year winning hadn't crossed my mind until I approached the final and I think that helped me stay relaxed throughout the competition but this year it was nerves all the way. The competition this year was a lot tougher with dealers from all around the world. It's strange when something you do everyday suddenly becomes competitive but at the same time the competition is a lot of fun. I really enjoy the challenge and will be more than happy to take part again next year."

"The prize is a trip to Vegas, which is fantastic. Last year returning to work was when the pressure really started, suddenly everything I did was under close scrutiny from colleagues and customers - all in good humour of course!"

Grosvenor Casinos had two representatives at this year's competition. Fellow dealer Lenna Flinton from Grosvenor Casino Folly Hall, Huddersfield, joined Sweet at the event, making it through to the European final and taking second place.

The competition runs through a number of heats with pre-tournament championships taking place in all of the regions represented. The European finalists will then challenge their counterparts from Australasian, South African and Latin American finals.

Taking the role of the players at the gaming tables , the judging panel is made up of representatives from every casino group participating in the event. Looking for the croupier who fits the bill in terms of customer service, technical skills, game protection and security and float management is their overriding objective.

The runner up from the world event was Martin van der Merwe from Emerald City, who was the South African winner of 2004. Australasian winner Jenni Evans from Sky City, came in joint third with Steve Tyler from London Clubs International Les Anbassadeurs casino, whilst fourth place went to Silvina Salcedo of Regency Casino Mendoza in Argentina.

LCI's Tyler also scooped the honour of being crowned 2005's European dealer of the year.