Austrian gaming supply and operations giant Novomatic AG announced it has completed one of the largest transactions in its corporate history, the acquisition of the HBG Group, which makes Novomatic one of the largest concessionaires in Italy.
The approval of the takeover by the Italian Autonomous Administration of State Monopolies (AAMS) also underlines the great confidence of the authorities in Novomatic.
Novomatic has been operating in Italy, which is one of the world’s largest gaming markets by revenue, for more than 15 years and has established its position as the technology leader in Europe’s largest video lottery terminal market due to the high level of confidence of its licensed customers in the company’s products and services.
HBG Gaming is one of the leading operators in the Italian market, and is active both as a concessionaire of VLTs and AWPs (Amusement with Prizes), as well as in the online gaming and sports betting segments and with the operation of bingo sites.
“With this acquisition, Novomatic is sending a clear signal of further international expansion, and can double its market share as a concessionaire in one of the key European gaming markets,” said Novomatic Executive Board Member Ryszard Presch.
“With this successful closing of one of the largest takeover transactions in our company history, we have laid the foundation for further sustainable growth,” added Executive Board Member Johannes Gratzl.
Novomatic is now one of the largest operators of VLTs and AWPs in Italy in the operational segment, and will further develop the online gaming and sports betting segments in this market in the future. With this transaction, the number of employees of the group has increased to more than 3,000 in Italy and to more than 21,900 worldwide. Markus Büchele, CEO of Novomatic Italia, noted, “Exactly in the year of our 15th anniversary in Italy, we can continue on a very successful path thanks to a great partnership with HBG, and grow further together.”
