NOVOMATIC acquires HBG in Italy to boost international growth

NOVOMATIC Group, one of the biggest international producers and operators of gaming technologies, has acquired the majority of shares of HBG Group, one of the main concessionaires and technology providers in the Italian gaming market. The acquisition makes NOVOMATIC one of the largest concessionaires in Italy, which is among the most important gaming markets in Europe.

International expansion:

NOVOMATIC AG Group employs around 21,900 staff worldwide with locations in about 50 countries. The company exports high-tech electronic gaming equipment and solutions to about 100 countries worldwide. As a leading European gaming technology company, the Group now continues its international expansion with one of the largest transactions in its corporate history.  The transaction has also been approved by the Italian Autonomous Administration of State Monopolies (AAMS) to prove the related competent authorities’ confidence.

NOVOMATIC Executive Board Member Ryszard Presch confirmed: “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.” 

Customer confidence:

The Group has been operating in the Italian market for more than 15 years. In terms of revenue, Italy is one of the world’s largest gaming markets and the company has reinforced its position as the leading technology provider to the VLT (Video Lottery Terminals) market segment. The Group now operates 212,000 gaming terminals and video lottery terminals (VLTs) in around 2,000 gaming operations.

Since the beginning of Italian operations in 2007, NOVOMATIC‘s innovative products and services have enjoyed the exclusive confidence of its licensed business customers. The latest acquisition of HBG Gaming, one of the leading operators in the Italian market, represents a step up in NOVOMATIC‘s strategy to expand the scope of products and services to its Italian customers.

Portfolio extended:

HBG Gaming is an active concessionaire of VLTs and AWPs (Amusement with Prizes) and an online gaming, sports betting, and bingo operator. With around 700 employees, HBG Gaming operates more than 20,000 AWP machines, around 4,800 VLT machines, 18 bingo halls, 52 betting shops as well as the online betting portal QuiGioco. Therefore the NOVOMATIC Group‘s portfolio is accordingly extended with the latest transaction to the satisfaction of its representatives.

The Group’s Executive Board Member Johannes Gratzl said: “With this successful closing of one of the largest takeover transactions in our company history, we have laid the foundation for further sustainable growth.”

Further growth:

With this transaction, the number of employees of the NOVOMATIC Group has increased to more than 3,000 in Italy and more than 21,900 worldwide.

Markus Büchele, CEO of NOVOMATIC Italia, is excited to conclude: “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.”