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Source: Novomatic
Group of Companies
Novomatic Group apply for casino licences in Austria Gumpoldskirchen, Austria
The Austrian gaming company NOVOMATIC will submit applications for casino licences as the number of casino locations in Austria is to be increased, stated Novomatic board director Johannes Hahn in a press conference on Friday, 16 November 2001. "The initiatives to increase the number of casino licences in Austria are an occasion for us to reaffirm our interest in obtaining casino licences in Austria", emphasised Mr. Hahn pointing out that for some time now there have been deliberations to increase the number of the existing twelve casino licences by three additional licences. This, however, requires an alteration of the Austrian Gaming Act, because the number of licences is determined in this act. Novomatic Group can think of several locations for casino operations in Austria. Novomatic's Swiss sister company ACE (Admiral Casinos & Entertainment) only a couple of weeks ago has obtained a great success in Switzerland. In the licencing procedure of the Swiss Federal Government and following thorough investigations by the Swiss Casino Commission, ACE has been awarded 20-year licences for the operation of casinos in Bad Ragaz, Davos, Locarno and Mendrisio. "This decision underlines our international reputation and it is more than satisfying be so successful in one of the now strictest controlled and regulated gaming markets", Mr. Hahn said adding that the very reason why ACE has done so well in Switzerland were the strict decision criteria. "We have always lamented the way casino licences were issued in Austria“ said Mr. Hahn. In disregard of any transparent licencing procedures, which should be common practice in a highly developed jurisdiction, the twelve existing casino licences in Austria have been issued to one single private corporation. "The concept that Austria has a legal state gaming
monopoly is erroneous and needs to be cleared up", said Mr. Hahn. As deliberations
are being made now to increase the number of licences, this would be a
good occasion for the government and the finance ministry to allow European
standards to be introduced also in the domain of gaming in Austria."
Licencing procedure must become more objective In particular, Novomatic Group is concerned about the following issues with regard to future licencing procedures. Unlike other countries, Austria has no such authorities as gaming boards to investigate licence applicants. Therefore the Federal Finance Ministry should voluntarily apply the international standards for this kind of projects in future licencing procedures. In accordance with international supervision policy criteria, ordered competition should finally be allowed. "Competition in the casino market would produce a nice side effect for the finance minister. It may be anticipated with absolute certainty that competition will result in fiscal optimation, that is in an increase in revenues from gaming," said board director Hahn. The Austrian way of granting a private enterprise a virtual gaming monopoly is unique in this world and in the opinion of Novomatic an anachronism that needs to be eliminated quickly also in view of the European Union. Novomatic is the only integrated gaming group in Austria and covers the whole range of business activities in the gaming sector. This includes comprehensive research and development work in high-tech gaming in which Novomatic subsidiary AGI (Austrian Gaming Industries) invests almost 10 percent of its revenues, the production of top-quality gaming machines and multi-player installations, the in-house development of casino management systems, consulting services and product supplies to casinos and the operation of more than 20 casinos world-wide. Novomatic Group has for 21 years now been successful
in the global gaming industry and has vast and profound experience. Shareholdings
and joint ventures in more than thirty countries of the world have made
Novomatic one of the leading gaming and casino operators and suppliers
holding over 350 rights and patents, offering more than 800 different
models, types and games and providing skilled jobs for approximately 2000
people world-wide.
NOVOMATIC Group of Companies
Karl Neidel
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