Central Europe

Germany: Sales of game apps grow by 23 per cent in the first six months of 2020

Published

5 years ago

September 11, 2020

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

In the first half of 2020, game apps generated 1.1 billion euros in sales revenue in Germany
About one third of game users played more than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic
‘Alone or with family and friends – people played games on their smartphones especially frequently during the coronavirus crisis.’

In the first half of 2020, games for smartphones and tablets were especially popular in Germany. This is shown by new market figures for game apps released by game – the German Games Industry Association, based on data collected by the market research company App Annie. According to the data, sales with game apps for smartphones and tablets increase by 23 per cent compared to the first half of 2019. In total, game apps and in-app purchases generated 1.1 billion euros in Germany. This was the first time that sales passed the one-billion-euro mark within the first six months of the year. In the continuation of a trend of the last several years, so-called in-app purchases accounted for nearly all sales with game apps. These are above all a part of free-to-play games. Such titles can be downloaded and played free of charge, with players spending money only on additional content, for example to individualise their own playing character.

‘During the coronavirus crisis, many people have especially enjoyed playing on their smartphones – for entertainment, to learn and to stay in touch with family and friends,’ says game Managing Director Felix Falk. ‘The market for game apps also continued its success from the previous years, posting further growth in the double digits in the first six months of the year. Playing games on smartphones and tablets has long since become a regular part of everyday life for millions of Germans.’

Games help people get through the coronavirus crisis

In the lead-up to this year’s gamescom, game published representative survey data on the playing behaviour of Germans during the coronavirus crisis. The data showed that around one third (35 per cent) of players said they had played more than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic; about one quarter (27 per cent) had played more frequently than usual with family or friends. Overall, more than one quarter (28 per cent) of players said that games have helped them to get through the pandemic better.

About the market data

The market data for game apps was collected by App Annie, a firm specialising in market research.

The survey data used is based on an online survey by YouGov Deutschland GmbH in which 2,027 persons participated between 27 July and 1 August 2020. The results were weighted and are representative of the German population aged 16 and older.

game – the German Games Industry Association

We are the association of the German games industry. Our members include developers, publishers and many other games industry actors such as esports event organisers, educational establishments and service providers. As a joint organiser of gamescom, we are responsible for the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. We are an expert partner for media and for political and social institutions, and answer questions relating to market development, games culture and media literacy. Our mission is to make Germany the best games location.

Birgit Wimmer

Birgit Wimmer Named Chairwoman as NOVOMATIC AG Reshapes Supervisory Board

Published

3 days ago

January 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

birgit-wimmer-named-chairwoman-as-novomatic-ag-reshapes-supervisory-board

During the General Meeting of NOVOMATIC AG, Birgit Wimmer, MSc., MBA, was designated to the Supervisory Board and subsequently elected as its Chairwoman in the constitutive meeting. She steps into the role of Dr. Bernd Oswald, who served as a Member of the Supervisory Board of NOVOMATIC AG for roughly ten years and will now assume a different role within the company group.

As a co-shareholder, Birgit Wimmer has engaged for many years in key governance roles within the top holding companies, including stints as a Non-Executive Member of the Board of Directors for the Swiss holding companies and as Managing Director of NOVO Invest GmbH. She possesses substantial experience in investment and management, along with numerous years of involvement in the banking sector.

“As Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board, I look forward to working together with my colleagues on both the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board as we help to successfully shape the Group’s strategic and sustainable development,” says Birgit Wimmer.

Dr. Haig Asenbauer, an internationally experienced lawyer with particular expertise in cross-border M&A transactions, company reorganization, and complex investment structures, was elected to serve as Deputy Chairman. Martina Flitsch retains her position as a Member of the Supervisory Board. She has many years of experience in international group structures and in providing strategic and legal support for corporate investments. Dr. Robert Hofians, a recognized finance and capital markets expert who also has extensive experience in the fields of governance and regulation in his roles as a professor and public accountant, also remains a Member of the Supervisory Board.

As of January 1, 2026, the Supervisory Board of NOVOMATIC AG is now composed as follows:

Birgit Wimmer, MSc., MBA (Chairwoman)
Dr. Haig Asenbauer (Deputy Chairman)
Martina Flitsch (Member)
Dr. Robert Hofians (Member)

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Central Europe

Ring Casino in Nürburgring at the Finish Line with NOVOVISION

Published

1 week ago

January 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

ring-casino-in-nurburgring-at-the-finish-line-with-novovision

The Ring Casino at the Nürburgring Congress Hotel has successfully deployed Novomatic’s NovoVision Casino Management System. As a branch of Spielbank Bad Neuenahr, the property integrated this visionary CMS to centralize operations and modernize its daily workflow. Beyond operational efficiency, the move ensures full compliance with upcoming German regulatory shifts, leveraging NovoVision’s advanced modules to uphold the highest standards in player protection and responsible gaming.

The venue offers around 450 square metres of gaming fun for fans of high-speed entertainment, with 62 video slots offering a range of attractive jackpots. All the gaming terminals are now managed centrally via NOVOVISION Floor Control, and jackpot management, cash handling via TITO and accounting are also operated in real time via the diverse system functionalities of NOVOVISION. In particular, access control via NOVOVISION access, player management and database comparison of each visitor with the nationwide OASIS exclusion database were key decision-making criteria for the operator. Both during initial registration and on each subsequent visit to the casino, access at the gates is only granted after thorough verification of the guest’s identity and age, as well as re-/verification against the exclusion database.

Following the successful introduction of NOVOVISION at the Ring Casino am Nürburgring, rollout at the other two locations in Bad Dürkheim and in Bad Neuenahr will follow in the first quarter of 2026.

Marcin Kozlowski, Head of Product Development & Market Coordination NBS, said: “Being able to supply Spielbank Bad Neuenahr, a long-standing NOVOMATIC customer, with our CMS as the core of its casino operations is further confirmation of our excellent business relationship. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the management for the trust they have placed in us and the teams for their excellent cooperation both in the run-up to and during the implementation.”

Thomas Salinger, Technical Director of Gaming at Spielbank Bad Neuenahr GmbH & Co. KG, said: “The successful introduction of NOVOVISION at the Spielbank in Nürburg represents a first major and important milestone in the system implementation in our gaming venues. This powerful casino management solution, with its diverse system functionalities, enables us to meet the ever-growing regulatory requirements efficiently and in a future-proof manner. We look forward to continuing the joint implementation in our casinos with our long-standing business partner NOVOMATIC.”

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Central Europe

ScatterKings adds sugar-coated spin to Austria with bespoke win2day partnership

Published

1 month ago

December 17, 2025

Wladimir P.

scatterkings-adds-sugar-coated-spin-to-austria-with-bespoke-win2day-partnership

ScatterKings has made its debut in Austria, partnering with operator win2day to bring its vibrant, hand-crafted portfolio to one of Europe’s most tightly regulated markets.

Headlining the partnership is Sweet win2day, a mouth-watering title designed exclusively for the operator. Other standout ScatterKings games, including Coins of Cleo, Vikings and Hogs Christmas and Big Bob, have also hit the screens of win2day’s customers, with further releases scheduled to follow.

Win2day is operated by Austrian Lotteries, which was founded more than 50 years ago and holds the only licence to offer online casino gaming in the country. The brand has gained a rich heritage as a trusted name in the market, priding itself on being one of the industry’s most responsible operators.

Through this deal, the new and fiercely passionate provider is redefining what modern slot content looks like for local players.

For ScatterKings, every game stands as a testament to its philosophy – proven mechanics fused with genuine artistic vision. A true labour of love from battle-tested developers, the brand-new studio, years in the making, is channelling its expertise into games crafted with soul.

With a leadership team of seasoned industry veterans spanning years of experience, ScatterKings is primed to accelerate its global growth and continue building games that deliver non-stop thrills.

Steven Cross, CCO at ScatterKings, said: “Our launch with win2day is such a proud moment for us and it’s a partnership built on trust in both our vision and craft.

“Entering such an exclusive market is a powerful endorsement of the quality and personality our content brings. We’re here to deliver premium entertainment to players under the most respected regulatory standards.”

Georg Wawer, Managing Director at win2day, said: “As Austria’s only licensed online gambling operator, it is our responsibility to offer players exclusively high-quality, secure and fully compliant gaming content. With ScatterKings, we welcome a highly innovative partner whose technological excellence and creative strength perfectly match our uncompromising standards.

“The studio’s games are optimised to meet the strictest player protection requirements, ensuring that every title on our platform delivers not only great entertainment but also the highest level of safety and responsibility. Their growing portfolio will be a valuable and exciting addition to win2day.”

The post ScatterKings adds sugar-coated spin to Austria with bespoke win2day partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.