Novomatic has increased their footing on UK soil by acquiring the amusement machine operator Playnation for an undisclosed sum of dosh.
Novomatic, a subsidiary of Austrian Gaming Industries, has acquired the UK-based amusement machine operator, Playnation, for an undisclosed fee. The outfit was established in 2013 following a managerial buyout backed by investment strategists Palatine Private Equity.
Speaking about the deal, Beth Houghton, investment director at Palatine Private Equity told the associated press that they had seen ‘exceptional growth’ during their time with Playnation, and that ’Novomatic is the perfect strategic partner to help achieve Playnation’s long term objectives.’
Playnation is a Runcorn based operation that owns 20,000 amusement machines across the wet and windy British Isles. Their interest lie in gambling and non gambling games with slot machines, air hockey tables and the crane machines that used to cost me a bloody fortune when I visited the seaside amongst the many machines they manage.
Novomatic will inherit a team of 800 employees and the management of over 1,700 sites, across Britain, including: Bourne Leisure, Park Resorts, Parkdean, Moto, Welcome Break and Roadchef. Novomatic operates over 232,000 machines, across 1,500 operations, in a variety of different countries. They pumped out a turnover of €3.8bn in 2014. Playnation declared a pre-tax profit of $2.6m in March 2014.
“Playnation is a perfect fit within the Novomatic UK group of companies and their respective brands. It will form an important part of the business and help to shape our future strategy in the UK leisure and gaming space.” Said Zane Mersich, CEO of Novomatic UK.
Playnation CEO Adam Hodges was equally as enthusiastic: “The Novomatic brand is widely acknowledged here in the UK and around the world for its capacity to innovate and drive up standards. Playnation shares those values and, as such, is an impeccable match for the Novomatic UK business model.”
Novomatic’s interest in the UK market is far from done. News reports suggest Midlands-based Keeday Leisure has wandered into their crosshairs. They currently operated 2,000 pieces of amusement equipment in the UK.
