Latest News
Sale of WestSpiel Group initiated
• EU-wide procurement procedure started on 18th December 2020
• Prospective buyers can apply now
On 18th December 2020, a Europe-wide tender procedure for the sale of the shares in the WestSpiel Group was launched by Warth & Klein Grant Thornton AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft as the lead transaction advisor. As a state-licensed casino operator, WestSpiel Group currently has 900 employees and runs four casino locations in Aachen, Bad Oeynhausen, Dortmund-Hohensyburg and Duisburg, holding the exclusive casino monopoly in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. WestSpiel Group, consisting of several legal entities, will be sold in its entirety. The shares in the WestSpiel Group are currently held by NRW.BANK, the North Rhine-Westphalian federal development bank.
Call for competition launched
The government of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia decided on 8 May 2018 to privatise the WestSpiel Group. The Act on the Licensing of Public Casinos in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (‘SpielbG NRW’), which came into force on 3rd June 2020, created an essential precondition for the privatisation. For the first time since then, casinos in North Rhine-Westphalia were permitted to be operated under private ownership. Prospective buyers from Germany and abroad can now qualify for the forthcoming bidding and negotiation phase in a call for competition. The respective tender documents can be accessed via the link quoted in the contract notice as announced in the EU Official Journal (https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:615286-2020:TEXT:EN:HTML&src=0) or directly via the tender marketplace NRW (Vergabemarktplatz NRW: https://www.evergabe.nrw.de/VMPSatellite/notice/CXPNYH5D573/documents).
Sound and profitable performance
The WestSpiel Group generated a gross gaming revenue of around €117.2 million in the 2019 financial year attracting around 900,000 visitors in total. This represents a significant growth of almost 27% compared to the previous year (gross gaming revenue 2018: around €92.3 million).
The group’s casinos offer around 80 gaming tables and 900 slot machines in total. The casino operated by WestSpiel Group in Duisburg is currently the most successful casino in Germany in terms of number of visits and gross gaming revenue achieved. In January 2020, the F.A.Z.-Institute nominated WestSpiel Group as Germany’s most future-proof company in the casino industry.
Excellent prospects and considerable development potential
The WestSpiel Group holds the exclusive casino monopoly in North Rhine-Westphalia, the economically strongest and most populous federal state in Germany.
Compared across Europe, the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia is one of the six economically strongest economies, even ahead of Belgium, Poland and Sweden.
The group’s position in this impressive market has been secured long-term by the amended SpielbG NRW and an exclusive 15-year concession. Furthermore, the new SpielbG NRW principally allows the future owner to also establish two further casino locations in North Rhine-Westphalia with attractive catchment areas each. The presence and availability of casinos in North Rhine-Westphalia is still relatively low for the 18 million inhabitants of the federal state when compared to other federal states. The WestSpiel Group therefore offers considerable potential for further successful growth.
A decision on what form previously unregulated, and thus illegal, online casino gaming will be developed on the basis of the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling has not been made yet. Subject to the structure under state law, WestSpiel Group therefore may have the opportunity to obtain a concession for online casino gambling which, however, has not been regulated to date.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Sale of WestSpiel Group initiated
Latest News
Boldplay embarks on new chapter as Valli Fragoso steps down as CEO
Boldplay, an innovative international game development studio recently acquired by Openbox Holdings, has announced that Valli Fragoso has stepped down from the role of Director and CEO as she looks to pursue new opportunities.
The leadership change marks a pivotal moment for the game studio as it enters a new period of growth and innovation within the Openbox Holdings group.
Valli has played an instrumental role in establishing Boldplay, overseeing several transformative initiatives that have positioned the company as true disruptor within the casino game development space – with hit titles including Brute Force, Cam Carter and the Cursed Caves, Cyborg City and Speed Heist.
Her decision to step down follows a five-year tenure, with her leadership laying the foundation for closer alignment with Openbox’s corporate vision and long-term commercial goals.
Founded in 2019, Boldplay has quickly become a highly sought-after brand within the game development space, with its portfolio of partners including tier one operators across Europe, LatAm and the US – such as ApuestaTotal, BetMGM, Grosvenor Casinos and Sportingbet.
Openbox and Boldplay will continue to work closely with one another to ensure a seamless leadership transition, while also remaining laser-focused on their core mission of setting new benchmarks for iGaming excellence.
Together, the two companies will leverage their combined technology, commercial expertise and resources to offer players innovative casino content.
Richard Hogg, CEO of Openbox Holdings, commented: “I, and the wider Openbox Holdings team, want to extend our warmest gratitude to Valli for her dedication and contributions to Boldplay. Over the last five years, she has made the studio an iGaming force to be reckoned with. We wish her the best for her future endeavours.
“As Boldplay enters this new chapter, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to leverage our synergies to drive bold innovation and deliver exceptional value to our partners. Boldplay is stronger than ever, and this transition allows us to refine our focus on delivering exciting experiences and expanding market presence in 2025 and beyond.”
The post Boldplay embarks on new chapter as Valli Fragoso steps down as CEO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Greco to Enhance Lottoland’s Gameplay Risk Capabilities
Greco, the leading provider of the Gameplay Risk Engine, is proud to enter a partnership with Lottoland, a global leader in the online lottery sector.
This collaboration will see Lottoland integrate Greco’s innovative Gameplay Risk Engine to enhance player management, minimise risk, and optimise operational efficiency across its platforms.
“At Lottoland, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Partnering with Greco aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver world-class experiences to our customers. Greco’s unique Gameplay Risk Engine will assess player behaviours, ensuring a secure and seamless experience for our growing community of 20 million customers,” says Mike Kirwian, VP Marketing & Commercial.
Operating in 15 markets, Lottoland is renowned for revolutionising the lottery market and has recently announced a record number of 20 million customers worldwide. Through this new partnership, the operator continues its commitment to delivering exceptional player experiences in the lottery space as a market leader.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Lottoland as a partner. Their commitment to innovation and player-centric operations aligns closely with our values. With our Gameplay Risk Engine, Lottoland is well-equipped to enhance efficiency and reinforce its position as a global leader in the online lottery space,” remarks Ozric Vondervelden, Co-Founder and CEO of Greco.
Greco’s Gameplay Risk Engine leverages theoretical value modelling and behavioural risk analysis, giving operators key insights to reduce costs and improve marketing efficiency. This partnership marks another milestone for Greco as it expands its footprint in the iGaming industry.
The post Greco to Enhance Lottoland’s Gameplay Risk Capabilities appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
GR8 Tech Granted Recognition Notice from Malta Gaming Authority
GR8 Tech has received a Recognition Notice from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), authorizing the platform provider to expand its product reach within Malta’s jurisdiction. This recognition grants GR8 Tech the same rights as a standard MGA B2B license, confirming the company’s compliance with regulatory standards and strengthening its position in the European iGaming market.
With this license, GR8 Tech can offer its high-performance iGaming services, including Hyper Turnkey Solution, Sportsbook Turbo iFrame, and Infinite Casino Aggregation, to a broader audience. The company can now tap into new growth opportunities in one of the world’s most respected regulatory environments, ensuring operators benefit from its cutting-edge technology and compliance excellence.
“Being granted the Malta Gaming Authority recognition is a big step for GR8 Tech. It highlights the strength and trust in our solutions, opening the door to new partnerships and opportunities. We’re excited to grow our presence in this respected market and deliver even more value to our clients, helping them succeed with our high-performance products,” said Yevhen Krazhan, GR8 Tech CBDO.
Last year, GR8 Tech obtained a B2B gaming supplier license from Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, marking its expansion into the Latin American market. Both licenses strengthen GR8 Tech’s global presence, positioning the company to forge strong partnerships in competitive gaming markets.
Join GR8 Tech at ICE 2025 to explore the latest advancements in iGaming. Discover innovative solutions, gain industry insights, and learn how the company can support the growth of your business.
The post GR8 Tech Granted Recognition Notice from Malta Gaming Authority appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News3 months ago
How Slot Gamers Shape Storylines Through Interactive Choices
-
Latest News2 months ago
India’s top gamers Jonathan & TechnoGamerz to face off in eFootball showdown at DreamHack India 2024
-
Latest News3 months ago
Top Online Casino Trends to Watch: Megapari’s Expert Analysis
-
Latest News2 months ago
The 2024 PUBG MOBILE Global Championship (PMGC) Grand Finals Arrive in London!
-
Latest News2 weeks ago
GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline
-
Latest News2 months ago
Mortal cements his name as face of Indian gaming, wins ‘Content Creator of the Year’ at global Esports Awards 2024
-
Latest News4 weeks ago
Abios powers upcoming gaming media platform Apollo with in-play statistics for League of Legends
-
Bulgaria3 months ago
SOFTSWISS Gets Certification for Its Jackpot Aggregator in Bulgaria
You must be logged in to post a comment Login