NOVOMATIC acquires Italy's HBG Group in of its largest transactions as a company

Gaming technology group NOVOMATIC announced Monday it is expanding internationally with one of the largest transactions in its corporate history: the acquisition of the HBG Group, making the company one of the largest concessionaires in Italy. 

The takeover was approved by the Italian Autonomous Administration of State Monopolies (AAMS). NOVOMATIC has been operating in Italy for more than 15 years and "has established its position as the technology leader in Europe's largest VLT market due to the high level of confidence of its licensed business customers in the group's innovative products and services," the company claims.

NOVOMATIC describes HBG Gaming as one of the leading operators in the Italian market, active both as a concessionaire of VLTs (Video Lottery Terminals) and AWPs (Amusement with Prizes), as well as in the online gaming and sports betting segments and with the operation of bingo sites.

NOVOMATIC Executive Board Member Ryszard Presch said: “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.”

Executive Board Member Johannes Gratzl and Executive Board Member Ryszard Presch

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

Based on this acquisition, NOVOMATIC is now one of the largest operators of VLTs and AWPs in Italy in the operational segment. The company also stated it intends to continue developing the online gaming and sports betting segments in the Italian 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.

For Markus Büchele, CEO of NOVOMATIC Italia, this is a reason to rejoice: “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.”