The Austrian Novomatic Group of Companies on Monday took over NSM-Löwen Entertainment GmbH, the second largest manufacturer of slot machines, fun games and amusement devices in Germany. The takeover makes Novomatic one of Europe's three largest manufacturers of gaming technology.
The merger was orchestrated by Novomatic's founder and main shareholder, Prof. Johann F. Graf, and NSM-Löwen Entertainment GmbH's general manager, Uwe Christiansen, and comes as a result of many years of successful cooperation between the two companies.
A spokesperson from NSM-Löwen Entertainment would not comment on the costs or how the deal was structured.
NSM-Löwen Entertainment GmbH employs more than 500 people and recently reported annual turnover of around 95 million euros.
The market potential in Germany is enormous: The German market comprises some 200,000 slot machines and another nearly 100,000 fun games and is set to develop new dynamics in the future.
Since its inception, Novomatic Group of Companies has continually expanded to become one of the world's largest integrated gaming groups, deriving revenues of 280 million euros in the previous business year, with 330 million euros (without NSM-Löwen Entertainment GmbH) expected for this year. The group employs approximately 2,700 people worldwide employed.
The members of the Novomatic Group of Companies include:
Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH - The original bearer of the name Novomatic (renamed in 1996); a world market leader in the casino technology and interactive live games.
Admiral Sportwetten AG - Listed on the stock exchange since July 2001, ASW is the Austrian market leader in the realm of betting offices. To reach a broader range of customers, Admiral Sportwetten AG has expanded its services to the Internet and to interactive television (in cooperation with Premiere TV). Their Web site is available in English and German. Payments are handled via Visa and MasterCard.
European Data Project - With its two large production facilities and the Paradise Casino Admiral gaming establishments, EDP is a market leader in the Czech Republic, both as a manufacturer and an operator.
Novo Information Systems GmbH - A leading high technology company in the sector of management information and jackpot systems for casinos and slot arcades.
Novo Gaming UK
Today, the group is represented in more than 30 countries at over 370 locations and holds more than 350 patents worldwide.
International Casino Operations
The international casino engagements of Novomatic AG, its Swiss sister company Admiral Casinos & Entertainment (ACE) and Johann Graf include more than 30 casinos and gaming outlets worldwide.
With a focus on operational activities in Europe (particularly in Switzerland and Germany), Novomatic Group runs modern gaming establishments in Europe as evidenced at its Swiss casino operations, including Mendrisio, Locarno, Davos, Bad Ragaz and Arosa, as well as at its casino locations in Germany, including Berlin/Potsdamer Platz, Frankfurt/Airport, Kassel, Bad Wildungen, Heringsdorf and Stralsund.