Novomatic/Sazka to Control Casinos Austria EMEA
Novomatic and Saska’s long-term strategic partnership will see the groups becoming equal partners in a joint venture to control Casinos Austria
Novomatic and the Saska Group call off litigation and form joint venture to control Casinos Austria in partnership
AUSTRIA CASINO OPERATIONS
Slot manufacturer and casino operator Novomatic is partnering with Sazka Group, which represents the investment group KKCG and Emma Capital, to ensure the growth of Casinos Austria. Te pair had been going head to head for a majority shareholding in the Austrian group, securing shares wherever possible, but had forced each other into a cul-de-sac.
TUNISIA – NOVOMATIC subsidiary NOVOMATIC LOTTERY SOLUTIONS (NLS) has been awarded a six-year contract by PROMOSPORT, acting on behalf of the Republic of Tunisia’s Ministry for Youth and Sport, to provide a turnkey solution for the management of sports betting and ongoing maintenance and support services.
Under the newly signed agreement, which was secured through a competitive bid with three other participants, NLS will provide PROMOSPORT with up to 3,000 online retail terminals as well as a state- of-the-art and fully integrated central system encompassing retail, Internet and mobile capabilities. The modern design of the system allows for the first Omni-channel system implementation in the region as well as for the integration with best-of-breed content providers for any future expansion requested by PROMOSPORT.
Frank Cecchini, CEO of NOVOMATIC Lottery Solutions added: “We will deliver a solution that comprises the latest technologies with terminals deploying thin client applications, web-based transaction engines and back-office applications. PROMOSPORT will be receiving the latest premium quality system with integrated support for new games and channels.”
Heidar Karlsson, CTO of NOVOMATIC Lottery Solutions said: “We are looking forward to a long lasting business partnership with the team at PROMOSPORT. Our industry leading technologies will help to generate increased revenues at lower cost for PROMOSPORT and help to raise more funds for its good causes.”
SOUTH AFRICA – Gauteng’s larger casinos are to be taxed at a higher rate as Premier David Makhura’s provincial government looks to improve its revenue collection. Gaming tax has been set at nine per cent for the last decade but now with the government looking to boost its revenue collection from R5bn to R5.6bn by the end of 2019, a tiered tax system is being considered.
It means larger casinos in the province such as Carnival, Emerald, Emperors Palace, Gold Reef, Morula, Monte Casino and Silver Star could all pay more than their smaller rivals.
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Sazka had planned to increase its share in Casinos Austria, asserting that its 11.3 per cent ownership gave it the right to first refusal if any shares were being sold. However this bid was blocked at a Casinos Austria shareholder’s meeting in October 2015, which instead attempted to pave the way for Novomatic to increase its own stake via the purchase of a 16.8 share owned by private shareholder MTB.
Emma Capital’s Jiri Smejc claimed that his company had been mistreated by Austrian authorities. He alleged it had been ‘discriminated against by the Austrian finance ministry’ and promised legal action. However, the two have now opted to work together instead of against each other. Teir long-term strategic partnership will see the groups becoming equal partners in a joint venture
Mediatech signs platform deal with Fairplay Online
Spain
Omni-channel provider Mediatech Solutions is to supply Dutch land-based chain Fair Play with a new online casino using its IRIS platform. Te deal with owner Janshen-Hahnraths Group, which runs 42 casinos across the Netherlands under the Fair Play brand, will see the new Malta-licensed Fairplay Online casino launch this summer.
Mediatech facilitated the company’s social gaming site last year using the IRIS platform, which has been developed to cater for the next generation of player-focussed operators. Under the agreement, Fairplay Online will enjoy access to a suite of real-money gaming
company involving their purchased and soon- to-be-purchased shares of Casinos Austria and the Austrian Lotteries, equating to more than 51 per cent of the company. Novomatic CEO Harald Neumann said: “Tis is the first important step towards provide Casinos Austria with a clear ownership structure and securing the company’s long term future in its national and international markets. It is important for us, to reach an understanding with all shareholders on the way forward.”
Štěpán Dlouhý, Investment Director of Sazka Group, added: “We are very pleased to partner with such a strong partner as Novomatic and we are convinced that our cooperation for the future success of Casinos Austria will be crucial. We recognise the importance of Casinos Austria in Austria and have always stressed our intention, together with our Austrian partners to develop its casino and lottery business.”
Te objective is also to terminate the existing litigation between Sazka Group and the MTB Private Foundation and the Medial Beteiligungs GmbH with regard to any pre-emption rights as soon as possible and to establish an effective and sustainable joint shareholding.
content, including slots provided by Microgaming.
Mediatech Solutions CEO and founder Jessica Ordovas said: “Fair Play has extensive land- based heritage in the Netherlands and can replicate this success online by leveraging our products and services to create a world class offering. With new regulation on the horizon, the Netherlands is set to become an important part of Mediatech’s fast-expanding global footprint.”
Fairplay Online’s manager Carel Meijer added: “We knew Mediatech well from working together on our social gaming site, so there was no question as to where we would turn when looking for a RMG platform provider.”
Last month, Spanish land- based casino supplier R. Franco took a controlling stake in Mediatech.
Denmark
In April the Danish Gaming Authority, DGA, is changing its practices to allow self-service terminals in betting shops without using NemID, Denmark’s CPR-Number identity scheme. Te change states: “Betting shops and land- based casinos can offer terminals operated by staff and where the player logs on to his gaming account with the licence holder, entering details into a terminals operated by the customer.” Tis means that betting can now be provided via self-service terminals in betting shops. However, players’ funds online and land-based must not be merged. “Te deposit on a player’s account must not be merged in regard to land-based and online provision of gambling. Tis is due to the fact that the executive order on online betting states that cash deposits cannot be accepted,” according to the statement by the DGA.
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