Connect with us
European Gaming Congress 2024

Central Europe

Casinos Austria Board Approves Restructuring Plan with 500 Redundancies

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

The Supervisory Board of Casinos Austria has approved the restructuring plan which it claims would be “the largest reorganisation in the company’s history.”

According to news in the Austrian media, it plans to make 500 workers redundant as it claims that this would save 1200 jobs. Company pensions will be reduced and up to 25% of salaries could be cut.

SAZKA CEO Robert Chvatal, the majority shareholder in Casinos Austria, said: “This is about saving a company that is in an extremely difficult situation due to its structure and the changed world. We do not want to sell casinos; we want to make them fit for the future.”

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

General Director Bettina Glatz-Kremsner said: “The Supervisory Board took an important step today to make Casinos Austria AG fit for the future by 2022. The implementation of the ‘ReFIT’ package of measures presented by us today as the board of directors will be the largest reorganisation in the company’s history, which will secure Casinos Austria’s position as THE gaming provider in Austria in the long term.”

“Like many other companies, Casinos Austria was hit hard by the Corona crisis, which made it necessary for the board, the supervisory board and the owners to act quickly and responsibly. Especially because the expected consequences from Corona will also pose great difficulties for us in the near future. But even before the Corona crisis, there was a clear need for action due to the changed framework conditions in our casinos and also at the headquarters and not least because of the smoking ban,” she added.

The two main owners’ representatives are both pleased with the strategy and make it clear they are completely behind the direction they have chosen.

Thomas Schmid, board member of the ÖBAG stated: “It is not about politics or the nationality of the shareholders. It’s not about maximising profits, but about avoiding future losses. It is about saving a company that is in an extremely difficult situation due to its structure and the changed world. We don’t want to sell casinos, we want to make them fit for the future. We support the ReFIT recommendation of the team of experts headed by Bettina Glatz-Kremsner, who worked hard on this plan for several weeks. The concept is based on facts, figures and great judgement as well as valuable inputs from other markets. But it also takes into account the company’s employees by saving 1200 jobs. The management team has our full support to make the company fit again.

“We trust the CASAG management project under the leadership of Bettina Glatz-Kremsner. ÖBAG was particularly committed to preserving as many jobs as possible and all 12 casino locations. It is important to us to carry out the planned measures in a socially acceptable manner and with the involvement of the works council.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“The management assured us that in view of the great challenges for CASAG, the restructuring of the company is essential. The company can only remain successful if the proposed measures are implemented. CASAG is an important company in ÖBAG’s portfolio. As a major tour operator and taxpayer, the company makes a significant contribution to Austria as a business location. The long-term increase in the value of the stake and player protection are central cornerstones of a successful corporate strategy at CASAG.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Central Europe

Relax Gaming partners with Grand Casino Luzern to launch in Switzerland

Published

on

relax-gaming-partners-with-grand-casino-luzern-to-launch-in-switzerland
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content, has enhanced its European presence by making its debut in Switzerland with leading operator Grand Casino Luzern and its online platform, mycasino.

This partnership with Relax will see the supplier’s award-winning portfolio of games including Banana Town, Money Train and Wild Chapo now available to Swiss players with more titles to follow.

Founded in 2019, mycasino is operated by Grand Casino Luzern, a renowned casino operator in the heart of Switzerland.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The country’s leading online casino boasts a cutting-edge offering with exclusive titles regularly being added, as well as seamless deposit and withdrawal functionality. With its commitment to safety, innovation, and superior customer experience, mycasino offers a secure and enjoyable online gaming experiences for Swiss players.

The Swiss market marks the twenty-third global jurisdiction that Relax Gaming now operates in after passing the stringent regulatory processes and obtaining approval from Federal Gaming Board (FGB).

This is Relax’s latest step in extending its reach across Europe with further plans to increase its footprint with additional partnerships planned over the continent in the near future.

Martin Stålros, CEO of Relax Gaming, said: “Our continued growth across the globe is something we are all incredibly proud of. The Swiss market presents many interesting opportunities and I believe we have the right content to appeal to the passionate audience.”

Alexia Smilovic Rønde, Chief Regulatory Officer at Relax Gaming, said: “Entering the Swiss market through our prime partnership with Grand Casino Luzern marks another significant step in expanding our presence in high-profile regulated markets.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“Switzerland is truly a staple of European jurisdictions and is known for its high regulatory standards, which we are pleased to have successfully met. We will be looking forward expanding our presence in the coming months.”

Wolfgang Bliem, CEO at Grand Casino Luzern, said: “The partnership with Relax Gaming marks an important step for mycasino.

“Their innovative approach and diverse game portfolio perfectly align with our commitment to maintaining our leadership in the market. We’re thrilled to be the first online casino in the Swiss market to partner with Relax Gaming and continue providing top-tier entertainment to our players.”

Established as one of the industry’s leading B2B suppliers, Relax Gaming was awarded GGA’s Product Launch of the Year in February 2023 for Dream Drop Jackpots. Money Train 3 names the 2023 CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards amongst its 6 Slot of the Year titles, while the brand also won the award for Skill Games Supplier at the 2023 EGR B2B Awards along with the Innovation in Mobile award at the 2023 SBC Awards.

Relax Gaming provides more than 4,000 online casino games, from its high-performing proprietary slots to a significant, varied library of content from hand-picked third-party studios via its partnership programmes.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The post Relax Gaming partners with Grand Casino Luzern to launch in Switzerland appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Central Europe

Thunderkick enters Hungary with LVC Diamond brand Vegas.hu

Published

on

thunderkick-enters-hungary-with-lvc-diamond-brand-vegas.hu
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Partnership marks studio’s first foray into Hungarian market

Independent slots studio Thunderkick has launched its games with Vegas.hu, an online casino operated by Las Vegas Casino (LVC) Diamond, marking its debut in the Hungarian iGaming market.

Hungary is the third new market entered by Thunderkick in 2024 – following the announcement that its games would go live in Canada and Colombia – highlighting the provider’s commitment to targeted global expansion.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Vegas.hu is a pioneering platform having become the first legal online casino established in the country in 2017 and has since established itself as one of the most successful and highest-grossing brands in Hungary.

The partnership, which commenced in early August, saw a collection of Thunderkick’s games integrated onto Vegas.hu, including fan-favourites Midas Golden Touch 2, Beat the Beast: Dragon’s Wrath, and Gods of Rock! Reborn.

The game developer has already reported early success among its titles, with this strong performance emphasising the quality of Thunderkick’s product portfolio, which continues to resonate with players across the globe.

Fredrik Ekholm, Head of Sales at Thunderkick, said: “We are dedicated to enhancing Thunderkick’s presence on our home continent, and the debut of our slots in Hungary reaffirms this.

“Since becoming the nation’s first regulated online casino, Vegas.hu has built a reputation as an industry leader, and we are excited to partner with the prestigious brand as we look to expand our European player base.”

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Brigitta Szenczy, Head of Gaming and Studio at Vegas.hu, added: “At Vegas.hu, we have a history of providing exciting gaming experiences to Hungarian players through a portfolio of best-in-class titles.

“Thunderkick’s cutting-edge slots are sure to resonate with Vegas.hu players as we continue diversifying our content offering.”

The post Thunderkick enters Hungary with LVC Diamond brand Vegas.hu appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Central Europe

Octoplay goes live in Slovakia with an exclusive partnership with Nike

Published

on

octoplay-goes-live-in-slovakia-with-an-exclusive-partnership-with-nike
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Octoplay continues its expansion in Europe by going live in Slovakia with a strategic partnership with Nike, the largest betting company in the country. This move marks Octoplay’s third major market milestone in the last four weeks, following its entry into Denmark and obtaining a license in Greece.

Octoplay will launch a portfolio of 10 games, including the title Eggsponential, exclusively on Nike’s platform in Slovakia. The partnership goes beyond game integration, with Octoplay set to deliver a bespoke version of its opt-in jackpot solution, Jackpot Hunt. This collaboration demonstrates both companies’ commitment to long-term market growth and innovation.

Nick Vuchev, Commercial Director at Octoplay, stated: “Our partnership with Nike marks a significant step in Octoplay’s expansion into regulated European markets. We’re excited to introduce our games exclusively in Slovakia through the country’s largest operator.”

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Robert Vizvari, Chief Revenue Officer at Niké, commented: “We’re thrilled to be the first to bring Octoplay’s premium products to players in Slovakia. Through this collaboration, we’re offering the high-quality, engaging content Octoplay is known for, exclusively on our platform. This partnership not only enhances our portfolio but also reinforces our commitment to providing our players with the best gaming experiences in the market.”

This partnership highlights Octoplay’s rapid expansion across Europe’s regulated markets. Already holding licenses in the UK, Sweden, Malta, Ontario, Greece, and Romania, Octoplay continues to strengthen its position in the iGaming industry through strategic partnerships and market entries. This latest collaboration with Nike, a major operator in Slovakia, further exemplifies Octoplay’s commitment to growth in key regulated markets.

The post Octoplay goes live in Slovakia with an exclusive partnership with Nike appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending