NOVOMATIC Italy announces with satisfaction the merger between the Group's dealerships ADMIRAL Gaming Network (AGN) and HBG Connex, historic operators in the Italian gaming market which, by combining two leaderships, now form one of the largest concessionaire companies on the national scene.
Following the acquisition of the companies of the HBG Gaming Group, which took place at the end of 2022, NOVOMATIC takes new steps in consolidating and increasing its presence and commitment in the Italian market through the strengthening of the company that holds the network concession for AWP and VLT .
"We believe that the role of the network concessionaire, within the regulation, is crucial and fits perfectly into our Group's aims to offer safe and legal entertainment all over the world - he claims Markus Buechele, CEO of the parent company NOVOMATIC Italia -. For this reason we have worked and will continue to work in the future so that ADMIRAL Gaming Network becomes increasingly stronger for its network in terms of services, reliability, technology".
Within the new reality, the value system and objectives in conducting business strategies remain the same: "AGN - emphasizes the president Antonio Porsia - will maintain a constant and active commitment to ensure that the safety and compliance of the services provided under the state concession are guaranteed and aim towards increasingly higher technological standards to protect tax revenue and the final consumers of the products. It is everyone's clear intention to pursue these objectives so that the concessionaire continues to make a positive contribution to the Italian public gaming sector and to civil society by ensuring transparency and reliability.”. The new ADMIRAL Gaming Network relies on over ten years of know-how which is now spread to a network of 41.000 AWP rights and over 8.000 VLT installation rights.
The operation starting today consolidates the presence of the NOVOMATIC Italia Group as a top player in the Italian concession system, thanks to the direct control of various concession companies.
In addition to AGN, they also hold public concessions Allstar, HBG Entertainment (Bingo game concessionaire) e HBG Online Gaming (concessionaire for online and land based betting). NOVOMATIC also holds a 2% stake in LottoItaly srl, the company that in Italy holds the concession for the collection of gambling Lotto.
In addition to the concessionaires, the Group has 7 companies active in retail gaming: an important governance that today permanently employs more than 4.000 people in all Italian regions.
"Our firm intention to represent a certain point of reference for the internal market and for the country's economy – comments Buechele – is confirmed by the holding's huge investments in concessions but also by the presence in the Group of several historic companies involved in the direct management of ADMIRAL branded gaming venues. Among our strong points is our Payment Institute ADMIRAL Pay, authorized by the Bank of Italy in 2018 and active with an offer of gaming services thanks to payment systems fully compliant with current legislation. Today's merger seals NOVOMATIC's 17th year of presence in Italy".
The Board of Directors of AGN is made up of the CEO Giuseppe Calzolaio, three representatives of the NOVOMATIC Italia holding, Markus Buechele (Chief Executive Officer), Karl Plank (Chief Operation Officer), and Raffaele Gnazzi (Legal & Compliance Director), and by President Antonio Porsia.
CDA, from left: Karl Plank, Markus Buechele, Antonio Porsia, Giuseppe Calzolaio, Raffaele Gnazzi
THE RENEWAL OF THE BRAND IDENTITY
The merger of the two historic dealerships gives life to a single large reality with a brand identity that is renewed and looks to the future while maintaining its roots in the ADMIRAL brand, synonymous with entertainment all over the world.
"The acronym AGN - declares Mara Di Lecce, Communication & Marketing Manager by NOVOMATIC Italia – finally it becomes an integral part of a complete and mature brand that has made the history of the Italian concession system and which is based on a solid reputation. Over the years, the concessionaire has always stood out for having made great efforts in dialogue with all market stakeholders and with the territories, above all through concrete listening to the needs of local communities, and in the guaranteed supervision where the ADMIRAL Gaming Network services they are present and will be in the future".
The new corporate website www.admiralgn.it is online, and the communication relating to Responsible Gaming activities, in line with the requests of the 2024 Development Plan, will be renewed to respond both to the new corporate identity and to the high requirements required by the G4 (Global Gambling Guidance Group) Certification, obtained by AGN in 2022. The new Responsible Gaming kits will be distributed in all gaming venues connected to the concession, as further proof of the centrality of Responsible Entertainment in the value system of the entire NOVOMATIC Group.
