Gamestec and Astra Games Commit to Groundbreaking Strategic Alliance
06/10/2010In an innovative move that will provide a much needed ‘shot in the arm’ for the UK’s currently beleaguered pub sector Gamestec, the uk’s leading gaming machine operator and Astra Games Limited, the Bridgend-based UK subsidiary of Austrian Gaming Industries, GmbH, part of the giant Novomatic group, have committed to a groundbreaking strategic alliance.
The Gamestec/Astra Alliance will see – on British sites within the next few months – the rollout of a fully integrated digital gaming solution across the UK Pub Sector. The initiative will, by combining two areas of proven expertise in one innovative package, regenerate a major income stream for the British Pub sector that has been so hard hit in recent times as a result of the economic recession. Astra’s Category C digital gaming solution is based on cutting edge technology, hardware, network capacity and wide ranging game content and all combines elegantly with Gamestec’s existing digital and analogue product portfolio. Also incorporated will be game content from Gamestec’s sister company Bell-Fruit Games and the whole concept will also be open to other developers of ‘best of breed’ games. Gamestec and Astra will have the new digital solution fully operational and site-testing by mid-October, bringing a wide range of games to Pub customers and, by so doing, revitalizing the whole concept of gaming and entertainment.
Chris Butler, Managing Director of Gamestec said: “This is a very significant and exciting development for Gamestec. It allows Gamestec to expand its product and service offering, enabling us to better serve our customers and strengthens our leadership position in the UK market.”
Mr Butler continued: “Astra Games, as the UK arm of AGI, has a huge range of gaming content in its portfolio and, as part of our strategic partnership with them, we are confident that we will be delivering the best integrated digital gaming solutions available in the UK market. Gamestec will be uniquely placed to be able to offer customers a versatile product solution combining cutting edge digital gaming together with traditional analogue gaming products and we believe this versatility is key to growing the player base and so raising the fortunes of the UK Pub sector.”
Zane Mersich, Managing Director of Astra Games, said: “Astra offers an extensive portfolio of game content and this ideally complements Gamestec’s proven ability to deliver a customer driven service across the United Kingdom. Gamestec’s expertise will become a great strength in getting our digital content delivered in the marketplace and ultimately to pub customers.”
Gamestec are the largest gaming machine operator in the UK with a presence in one in three Pubs nationwide. As the leading investor in gaming technology, with an operational network covering the entire UK, Gamestec’s existing customer base and operational expertise provides an unrivalled opportunity to drive digital into the wider pub market.
With a turnover of almost €2.5 billion in 2009 the Novomatic Group of Companies is one of the largest integrated conglomerates of the international gaming industry. With a business portfolio that spans all sectors of the worldwide gaming market Novomatic’s experience, breadth of product expertise and catalogue of market leading products is unparalleled.
Jens Halle, Managing Director AGI, concluded: “Our strategic partnership with Gamestec will ensure that we further grow our position in Europe with a growing presence in the United Kingdom and together we will guarantee the levels of service and support that Novomatic customers have come to expect.”
Editorial Notes
About Gamestec
Gamestec, part of Danoptra Limited, has more than 50 years of experience in the gaming and amusement machines business. With more than 1,000 employees, providing operating services to some 35,000 machines in the UK Gamestec is one of the largest operators in the country. Gamestec operate machines for customers of all sizes in many different markets, including pubs, bars, leisure venues, licensed betting offices, clubs, bingo halls, casino’s and adult gaming centres. Gamestec invests equally in both people and technology, and aims to deliver the highest quality in customer service and is a key member of Business in Sport and Leisure (BISL).
About ASTRA GAMES Ltd.
Astra Games is a wholly owned subsidiary of Austrian Gaming Industries, GmbH (AGI) and is an integrated global gaming company specializing in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution, sales and support of electronic gaming machines and advanced technology products.
About Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH (AGI) / Novomatic Group of Companies
Austrian Gaming Industries GmbH (AGI) a 100 percent subsidiary of Novomatic AG (www.novomatic.com) is an integrated global gaming company specializing in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and sales of electronic gaming machines and advanced technology products, in addition to extensive operational activities encompassing casinos, electronic gaming halls and sportsbetting outlets. As Europe’s leading manufacturer AGI delivers one of the broadest product ranges in the industry.
NOVOMATIC Group of Companies – comprising NOVOMATIC AG as well as the Swiss sister subsidiaries ACE Casino Holding AG and C.S.C. Casino Systems Holding AG – is one of the largest international integrated gaming groups, ranked as number one in Europe, and employs more than 15,700 staff worldwide (2,700 in Austria). Founded by the entrepreneur Prof. Johann F. Graf the group has locations in 22 countries, produced more than 100,000 gaming machines for the first time in 2008 and exports its high-tech gaming equipment to 62 countries. The group also comprises Admiral Sportwetten GmbH, Austria’s leading sportsbetting operator with more than 200 outlets, and operates a total of 140,000 gaming machines in the group’s 850 plus owned electronic casinos and casinos as well as via rental concepts.