Novomatic is an international gambling company, founded by the billionaire Johann Graf in 1980. For the year 2018, total revenue was Euro 5.0 billion. The company has offices in 43 countries and also operate casinos, including in locations such as Berlin and Santiago, Chile. The Novomatic Group consists of a three holding companies. In June 2016, Novomatic bought the UK gambling company Talarius from the Australian Tatts Group. Instant win and digital scratchcard provider, Gamevy, formed a partnership with Novomatic subsidiary, Novomatic Lottery Solutions, in November 2016. The tie-up presents NLS with an opportunity to focus on "the broader lottery demographic".
History
Johann Graf initially partered with Gerhard Brodnik in the 1970's to start Brodnik & Graf, a company that was importing pinball machines from Belgium. In 1980, Mr. Brodnik decided to quit and Mr. Graf oriented towards producing the gaming machines under Admiral brand. A number of Admiral branded Casinos were opened. Novomatic expanded globally during the decade and vastly improved the technology. Novomatic was among the first gaming equipment manufacturers to use touch screen technology. Now Novomatic operates in over 80 countries and has more than 30,000 employees.
Games
Some of the most popular Novomatic games: Book of Ra, Lucky Lady's Charm, Dolphin's Pearl, Lord of the Ocean, American Poker II, Sizzling Hot, Xtra Hot.
Notable acquisitions
In 2010, Novomatic expanded into online gaming business by acquiring controlling stake in London based Greentube studio. Greentube, in addition to their original content, is the main online publisher of already established Novomatic slot games. Greentube then purchased Canadian based Bluebat Games studio in 2015 to further expand its online presence. In 2018 Novomatic completed the purchase of 52% of Australian gaming equipment maker Ainsworth Game Technology Limited for around 300 million Euros. That was Novomatic's largest acquisition since the Greentube acquisition in 2010.
Controversies
The Novomatic subsidiary G. Matica had not installed the accounting system for the mandatory networking of machines with the Italian tax authorities and was sentenced in 2012 to a fine of 150 million euros. Novomatic considered the claim as "completely unjustified" and appealed against the first instance decision. In June 2014, Novomatic paid a settlement amount of € 47.5 million.
