Review ICE TOTALLY GAMING 2017
Yes, it’s inconceivable, but at ICE 2017 Novomatic increased its floorspace to present its largest ever portfolio of products, including 25 individual companies from across its globe- spanning infrastructure. During its annual press presentation at ICE, the Novomatic team described a business that now has activities in 80 countries around the world, has subsidiaries in 50 of those countries, generated revenues in excess of four billion euros in 2016 and currently employs 28,000 people. Founded in 1980 by Prof. Johann F. Graf, Novomatic has more than 235,000 gaming devices installed worldwide and operates more than 1,600 of its own gaming facilities across the globe. It’s little wonder, therefore, that the team needed an aircraft hanger-sized stand to exhibit its full range of gaming accomplishments at ICE 2017.
Te opening address came from Novomatic CEO Harald Neumann, who underlined the importance of the ICE show for Novomatic. “I’m pleased to say that 2016 was another successful year for Novomatic,” stated Mr. Neumann. “While the overall market saw growth of approximately four per cent, Novomatic outstripped that figure with our own growth of 10 per cent, and with turnover of approximately 4.4bn euros, we have enlarged our number one position in Europe, with several new acquisitions 2016.”
In the last six years Novomatic has made over 150 acquisitions in all parts of the world. An obvious example of this expansion is in the UK,
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Novomatic expanded its hemisphere-spanning presence at ICE’s World Theatre of Gaming with a show-stopping central performance
Ever-expanding, the NOVOMATIC stand increased to 4,700sq.m. this year to make way for an even wider selection of products from new additions to the Group
where Novomatic is now operating approximately 7,500 gaming devices (post the Talarius acquisition) and employs 3,800 people. Another important market that Novomatic focused upon last year was Spain, adding two casinos to its portfolio in San Roque and Seville, with the company operating 100 gaming arcades in Madrid at present, with major acquisitions in this sector still in the pipeline. “We have several additional projects and acquisitions in Germany and Italy,” continued Mr. Neumann. “Te number one position in Europe was one of the strategic targets that we achieved and surpassed a long time ago – and we continue to grow across all gaming segments.”
Mr. Neumann updated the audience as to the current situation regarding Novomatic’s acquisition of Casinos Austria shares. Novomatic could not reach an agreement with Austria’s Competition Authority, which meant that the company had to settle for a share of less than 25 per cent in the Austrian casino operator. While
disappointed, Mr. Neumann chose to look on the bright side. “Te positive outcome in 2016 is that our Czech partner, Saska, has acquired the additional shares not held by the Austrian government,” said Mr. Neumann. “Tis means that the majority of the shares now belong to gaming experts, which is good for Casinos Austria.”
Ainsworth Game Technology was another important part of Novomatic’s global strategy, one which it secured towards the end of 2016, having reached an agreement with Len Ainsworth to acquire his 53 per cent of shares in the business. “We have signed with Ainsworth an agreement that is positive for the future of both companies,” said Mr. Neumann.
“In summary, the implementation of our integrated business model has ensured that Novomatic today enjoys a unique position in the global gaming market. We are in the top three gaming companies in the world, we have the
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