Euroslot-JUL-AUG09-PG12:Layout 1 02/07/2009 09:39 Page 12
EUROPEAN NEWS - ITALY www.euroslot-online.com
Scratch and win for life, based on the UK model
S
cratch and Win, based on the UK model, could be launched in the
next few months in Italy. The winners will receive a payment every
month forever. This is a new way of playing that will certainly fire up
the Italians’ passion for games of chance even more.
In May, receipts by the State Monopolies amounted to 4.3
billion euros. Total receipts during the first five months of
2009 are 9.52% higher than those for the same period in
2008.The lottery Consortium, controlled by Lottomatica, has the
exclusive right to run Scratch and Win until May 2010. But, as reported
by Corriere della Sera, there are at least three other groups that would
like to get their hands on it: Sisal (which already manages the
Superenalotto), Snai (betting and others) and the Greek company
Intralot.
The case has now reached Brussels where the Commissioner for
Competition, Charles McCreevy, has said no to an automatic extension
“Unless this possibility was allowed for in the original call for tenders”.
The Finance Ministry, which controls the Monopolies, fears that in case
of a renewal Brussels may open an infraction procedure. And in order
Charles
to be sure it has asked for an opinion from the Council of State. The
McCreevey
Council of State has answered that all options remain open: it is up to
the State Monopolies to decide whether to leave Scratch and Win in the
hands of Lottomatica or to announce a new call for tenders.
How does the betting market divide up?
Excellent start
T
for video
he fixed quota sports betting market continues to grow. In May, this segment of the market
saw takings of 404.1 million euros, an increase of 44% in comparison with May of last year.
However the figure for May was just 0.2% up on the figure for April 2009 when takings were 403.2
million euros. More substantial is the increase in on-line betting with receipts showing a total of 121.5 I
n a time of economic crisis and recession, the video
games industry does not seem to have been affected.
million euros in May, equivalent to over 30% of the total fixed quota sports betting market, up 1.8% The latest data speaks for itself.
on the previous month. In 2008, the turnover in Italy for hardware and software
Once again the market leader has turned out to be Snai with takings of nearly 147.4 million euros saw a rise of 21.6%, to one billion, 200 million euros:
and a market share of 36.5%. In second place is Lottomatica which, thanks also to the takings from 53.1% of the turnover during the past year came from
the acquired Totosì, has recorded receipts of 87.4 million euros and a market share of 21.6%. Third sales of software (670,857,781 million euro) and 46.9%
place on the podium is taken by Match Point, the betting arm of Sisal, with takings of 41 million from sales of hardware (591,852,158 million euro).
euros and a 10.1% share of the market. The forecast is even better for 2009; in fact the first five
If one includes the fourth operator in the rankings, i.e. Microgame, the 4 companies together have months for the video games industry saw an increase of
more than 76% of the market. 29.5%. And the forecasts are for continuing strong growth.
Contrasting data appear in the comparisons between the receipts for May and those for April. The Italy, in terms of the video games industry lies in 5th
most positive data come from Lottomatica/Totosì and Gioco Digitale, since in both cases we are place in Europe. Ahead of it are: Great Britain, France,
talking about an increase of over 10%. Also doing well are Planet Scommesse and Bwin Italy. Germany and Spain; while for the first time, Italy lies in
Showing slightly positive increases too are Snai and Cogetech. third place in the ranking of Countries with the most
In a market that has grown by 44% in a year, only two providers have recorded an annual dynamic development trend.
percentage growth rate above the average for the May 2009 year-on-year figures. These are Intralot “Against a general background of reduced consumer
which recorded an 82% increase over the amount it collected 12 months ago with sports betting spending, the growing interest in video games in our
standing at 12.2 million euros, and reaching 2.2 million in May of this year. Also above the average Country can be attributed, in wide measure, to the
growth rate was Lottomatica/Totosì (+58.3%). Companies with values of around the average progressive increase in the number of consumers who,
increase were Match Point, Snai and Eurobet. thanks to the creativity and innovation of the contents
Takings via the Internet, which in May reached 121.5 million euros, have seen Microgame in the and the new gaming experiences offered by the latest
lead with over 33 million euros and a market share of 27.3%. Lottomatica thanks to the takings by generation of consoles, which are now available to the
Totosì, saw its total reach 28 million euros. It should be noted that the company Via del Campo video playing public,” comments Andrea Persegati, the
Boario is to be found in second position both in the overall rankings and in on-line gaming. Bwin Aesvi President. “Today, the video game is no longer a
however continues to be the number one foreign operator in this segment of the market. Strongly pastime for a niche of consumers, it has been
ahead of Gioco Digitale that has now overtaken Eurobet. In comparison with the month of April, it is transformed into a mass medium which, as well as
Snai that has recorded the greatest increase (+15%) in the on-line sector. Also doing well is Gioco entertaining, can help young and old, men and women
Digitale, whilst for the other on-line operators growth has been somewhat more restrained. alike, to live better, to learn, to work, and in many cases
becoming a life style.”
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JULY/AUGUST 2009
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