Novomatic AG, a leading provider of gaming and gambling products, has completed its Italian purchase of HBG Group Holding GmbH, the leading operator of gaming and betting terminals in Germany. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2022. With this purchase, Novomatic will expand its presence in Europe’s largest regulated gaming market. The transaction was advised by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., with financial support from Deutsche Bank AG.
Novomatic completes Italian purchase of HBG Group
Novomatic has completed its purchase of HBG Group, a leading online and mobile gaming company headquartered in Austria. The acquisition provides Novomatic with a strong presence in the Italian market, which is one of the biggest and most lucrative gambling markets in Europe.
The transaction was valued at €894 million (£715 million), and includes the assets of HBG Group’s gaming operations as well as its stake in a Austrian betting company. Novomatic said that it will use the proceeds from the sale to bolster its position in other European markets, including Germany and Sweden.
The acquisition comes on the heels of Novomatic’s blockbuster deal to acquire privately held UK-based Playtech last year. The combined company has more than 26,000 employees across 34 subsidiaries worldwide.
What this means for Novomatic
Novomatic has completed its purchase of HBG Group, a leading European gaming company that operates the biggest online casino in Italy. The acquisition strengthens Novomatic’s position as one of the leading providers of online gaming services in Europe and enhances its position in Italy, which is one of the most important European gambling markets. With this acquisition, Novomatic becomes the largest operator of online casinos in Italy with a total player base of over 1 million people. The combined company will have a portfolio of well-known brands including Europa Casino, Play n Go, and Mr Green. In addition to its Italian operations, HBG Group has subsidiaries in Austria, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The acquisition will give Novomatic access to HBG Group’s strong customer base and its expertise in marketing and branding. It will also allow Novomatic to expand into new markets such as Austria and Germany. The combined company plans to continue to offer existing customers the same high-quality gaming experiences they are used to and to launch new products that appeal to Italian players.
What this means for the gambling industry
Novomatic has completed its purchase of HBG Group, a leading global provider of online gaming services. The acquisition further strengthens Novomatic’s position as one of the world’s leading providers of betting and gaming solutions. With this acquisition, Novomatic now operates in 18 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Africa.
The purchase expands Novomatic’s footprint in Italy, where it currently operates two of the country’s leading online gaming operators: Unibet and Uno-X. This move will give Novomatic greater access to Italian players and accelerate its growth in the country. Italian customers are some of the most avid gamblers in Europe, with average spending levels reaching €240 per month. The combined entity will have more than 36 million customers worldwide.
This acquisition will not have any material impact on earnings or cash flow for either company during the current fiscal year ending 31st December 2018.
What this means for HBG Group
HBG Group, one of the world’s leading online gaming companies, has been acquired by Novomatic AG, one of the world’s leading providers of gaming content and services.
This acquisition will significantly strengthen Novomatic’s position in the European online gaming market. HBG Group operates popular brands such as CrazySlots, Fruit Machines, and Joker Poker. The company has over 20 million players worldwide.
Novomatic is committed to continuing the operations of HBG Group as a standalone business and to preserving its culture and employees. This transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in Q1 2019.
Novomatic announced today that it has completed its purchase of HBG Group, a leading European gaming technology provider. With the acquisition, Novomatic becomes the owner of HBG’s flagship game development platform, Playtech, as well as other cutting-edge gaming platforms and technologies. The combined company will have a strong presence in both online and land-based casino markets across Europe.