Interview | Galopprennbahn Scheibenholz / Alexander Leip

Alexander Leip deals with luck, chance and dreams almost every day. The 4-time father of a family was one of Canada's youngest bookmakers according to the German Racing Betting and Lottery Act and remained faithful to equestrian sports throughout his life: the Belgian-born Canadian investor has been a Scheibenholz since 2008 and managing Director of the racecourse since 2012.

What role does happiness play for you in your life?

This is a pathetic question at the beginning. When I look back on my life of over 50 years, I would say: only the capable one is lucky. And I was always efficient (laughs). I mean that in the sense that you let happiness into your life through positive energy. Of course, there is also courage. Those who risk nothing can win nothing. So I would say: if you go through life courageously, optimistically, positively and openly and accept your destiny, you will succeed a lot. And if it works once, it succeeds a second time. This is also comparable to the horse bet, where you can have a so-called "run". Thus, in addition to the mind and reason, positive energy, literally also called happiness, also plays a decisive role in gambling.

What is the special attraction of equestrian sport for you?

On the one hand, galloping combines high-performance sports with a very high entertainment factor. In addition, everyone is the same before the betting box: whether a millionaire or a pensioner – they all have the same chances. And also everyone is welcome: whether with an extravagant hat or without.

Do you always bet with yourself? And what was your highest profit?

Of course, I also bet on a good horse from time to time. Unfortunately, this has been increasingly rare lately, as I do a lot of organizational work in the background to make the racecourse even more attractive as a permanent fixture in the sports, leisure and cultural landscape of Leipzig. Unfortunately, there is not always time to participate in the thrill. I still remember my biggest win. This was the victory of the mare Borgia at the German Derby in Hamburg. No one expected a "lady" at the front. Just me.

What connects the Scheibenolz with the Saxon casinos?

On the one hand, we both want to make our customers happy and give them exciting and interactive moments. Even if you lose, you should still have had a nice day. We have been cooperating with SPIELBANKEN SACHSEN for years, for example at the summer cinema. And of course, the CASINOS are also present with gang advertising in the disc wood. And Sachsenlotto also has its own cup, so we maintain a very good relationship with the house in principle.

Have you ever been a guest at a casino yourself?

Yes, often, such as in BadenBaden or in Bad Homburg. Of course, also in international casinos such as in Cannes, London and in Warsaw. Only in my adopted home of Leipzig I have not yet made it. But I will make up for that at the latest this year.

A personal question at the end:

What was your greatest moment of happiness in life?

This is easy: the birth of my two boys and two daughters. You never forget that when you hold such a small creature in your arms. This is definitely a completely different and higher dimension of happiness.