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Gauselmann Group is Back on Course for Success, Sales Development Returns to Pre-Covid Levels
The Gauselmann Group is leaving the pandemic behind and picking up economically from the successful pre-COVID period: at the end of the first six months of the year, it is already becoming apparent that the family-run corporate group will achieve similarly high sales revenues in 2022 as in the 2019 financial year. Sales revenues in the first half-year of 2019 were at around 1.740 billion euros. The first six months of 2022 closed with sales revenues at 1.746 billion euros. Overall, the cumulative sales revenues of all group entities in 2019 was approximately 3.4 billion euros.
“It is great news that the pandemic has bottomed out and we are finally back in charted territory again. This success is primarily the fruit of our good ideas and the dedication of each and every one of our employees and once again goes to show what you can achieve with hard work and team spirit,” Founder and Management Board Chairman Paul Gauselmann said.
The past two coronavirus years had cost the company some two billion euros in lost sales revenues. During the lockdowns, all gaming arcades, casinos, sports betting shops and shipboard casinos across Europe – as many as 1000 outlets altogether – had had to close for around nine months. Operating costs, however, remained largely unchanged.
The good development is also attributable to the group’s increasing diversification. The Gauselmann Group is positioning itself on an ever-broader base – and in doing so is reducing its dependence on individual markets and business models. This is also reflected in the current sales performance. A return to pre-COVID levels was only possible because with the development and expansion of international business operations and casinos, the company has tapped into two business areas that compensate for the increasingly difficult situation on the German home market. The most important markets in other European countries are currently the UK and Spain.
“From an entrepreneurial point of view, it was hugely important to drive forward our international business activities,” Paul Gauselmann explains. In the meantime, an ever-larger share of sales revenues – around 60% – is generated abroad.
In addition to internationalisation, casinos are another major factor in sales success. As well as the casinos in Saxony-Anhalt and the investments in Berlin and Rhineland-Palatinate, the casinos in North Rhine-Westphalia have been an important addition to this business segment since 2021. A look at the figures of the casinos in Saxony-Anhalt shows how enormous the potential is in this area: already in the second year of operation by the Gauselmann Group, the number of visitors doubled several times over. In line with the legally defined channelling mandate, it was thus possible to redirect more players from illegal to legal offerings and protect many customers from the big risks of illegal gaming.
“I have never experienced such a percentage rise in any other sector so far,” Paul Gauselmann points out.
The only bitter pill in the general success story are the political conditions that govern commercial gaming in Germany. The ever-increasing restrictions have not only led to a reduction of more than 30% of gaming machines, the closure of gaming arcades and thus also to the selective loss of jobs, but have also diminished the attractiveness of the legal gaming offering. This, in turn, increases the appeal of illegal gaming offerings – in the context of which consumer protection and responsible gaming are alien concepts. The Gauselmann Group has nevertheless managed to defend its market leadership.
“This is very gratifying, but also necessary in order to uphold our standards even under the more difficult conditions,” said the company patriarch.
This positive development of the company from Eastern Westphalia is also reflected in the “personnel growth” factor. The number of employees increased by 10.7% in 2021, with the company now employing almost 15,000 people worldwide. All of this allows the Gauselmann Group to look to the future with renewed confidence. One source of hope for further building on this successful track record lies in particular in the area of online gaming in Germany, which is currently being developed on a legal footing under the new State Treaty on Gambling that came into force on 1 July 2021 and for which the first licences were recently issued. However, this presupposes that the state intervenes to put a stop to illegal online business as quickly as possible. According to media reports, the new German Federal States’ Joint Gambling Authority has already started calling on illegal providers to discontinue their activities. Failure to do so comes with fines of up to 500,000 euros. Experience in the UK market has shown that land-based gaming and online gaming meaningfully supplement rather than cannibalise each other – provided that the legislator permits a sufficiently attractive range of online gaming offerings; an area where Germany has so far significantly lagged behind other counties.
“We will definitely be making an active contribution with good ideas in the online segment,” promises Paul Gauselmann. The most important insight, however, is “If we perform and can draw on more reasonable framework conditions going forward, success will follow.”
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BLAST and GamingMalta announce multi-year partnership including a state-of-the-art studio and hub of esports activity on the island
Competitive entertainment company BLAST and GamingMalta, an independent non-profit foundation set up by the Government of Malta, are proud to announce a transformative three-year partnership. The partnership will see Malta become a premier destination for world-class esports events and innovation, with BLAST debuting in Malta with the BLAST Premier Bounty S2 in August 2025.
The partnership will initially host nine major international esports tournaments in Malta, featuring some of the most prestigious competitions from BLAST’s global calendar, including the BLAST Premier and BLAST Slam circuits. In addition to these headline events, BLAST will establish a permanent esports broadcasting facility equipped with cutting edge technology that will span over 1,000m2 hosting Tier 1 esports tournaments and an office presence on the island, creating a dedicated team and infrastructure to support content production, operations, and long-term engagement in the region.
As part of the collaboration, GamingMalta will also benefit from global visibility across all BLAST Premier and BLAST Slam broadcasts, with millions of fans tuning in around the world. Beyond tournaments and exposure, the partnership also underscores a shared commitment to community development and education.
BLAST will support GamingMalta’s mission by investing in local esports initiatives, forging connections with universities and grassroots organisations, and helping create meaningful career opportunities for Maltese players, content creators, and aspiring professionals within the gaming industry.
Together, BLAST and GamingMalta will position Malta as a global esports destination, leveraging high-profile events to attract international teams, fans, and media coverage. The initiative is also expected to generate significant economic benefits through increased tourism, hospitality demand, and international business.
Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy, Enterprise & Strategic Projects for Malta, added: “This partnership with BLAST – a premier global esports entertainment company – aligns perfectly with the Government of Malta’s Vision 2050, which places digital innovation, youth engagement, and the creative economy at the heart of our national strategy. It reflects our ongoing commitment to positioning Malta as a hub for future-facing industries, while also creating real opportunities for our young people through education, careers, and international exposure. By investing in strategic collaborations like this, we continue to build an economy that is innovative, resilient, and globally relevant.”
Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST, said: “Our partnership with GamingMalta makes a major milestone for BLAST having secured a multi year partnership to elevate esports and gaming in Malta. We are excited to bring live output, a new studio and competitive entertainment to the island.”
Ivan Filletti CEO of GamingMalta remarked “At GamingMalta, we are committed to nurturing every level of the gaming ecosystem – from grassroots to global. This multi-year partnership with BLAST is a bold step forward in our relentless journey to continue establishing Malta as a world-class esports hub. We will continue to champion our ‘Home of Gaming Excellence’ vision by delivering top-tier events and creating new opportunities for the next generation of esports talent.”
The BLAST Premier Bounty S2 features 32 teams from across the Counter-Strike scene battling for a spot at our LAN finals and a slice of the $500,000 USD prize pool. The innovative Bounty format allows teams to select their opponents and utilize wager mechanics to raise the stakes and chase riches.
The post BLAST and GamingMalta announce multi-year partnership including a state-of-the-art studio and hub of esports activity on the island appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Clarion Gaming celebrated ‘double gold’ at the AEO Excellence Awards widely recognised as the Oscars for the events industry.
Held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel which has hosted royalty, dignitaries and business leaders for nearly a century, the Awards saw World Gaming Week, comprising ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona judged Best International Show (Europe) with Clarion Gaming receiving the accolade of ‘Organiser Team of the Year’ a category which was judged across every industry sector and jurisdiction.
Reflecting on the illustrious Awards which showcase the very best that the events industry has to offer, Clarion Gaming Managing Director, Stuart Hunter said: “It’s a fantastic achievement to win Gold across two incredibly competitive categories and to be recognised by the judging panel which was drawn from across the events industry ecosystem.
“I can’t think of another team anywhere in the event’s space that’s risen to the huge challenge of moving three market leading and established shows to two different countries over the course of 18-months.
“Taking ICE and iGB Affiliate to Barcelona has opened-up so many opportunities for the entire industry supply chain and we have the same aspirations for iGB L!VE which opens in London in July following its relocation from Amsterdam.”
He added: “The philosophy which is embedded in the Clarion Gaming DNA is to always work alongside our customers, understand their business needs and use the power of our brands to help meet their objectives irrespective of their size.
“By embracing this approach, our commitment to being industry partners empowers us to make bold decisions and achieve even greater outcomes for our customers.”
The post Clarion Gaming wins accolades at prestigious events industry awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
UK trade association Bacta has announced the appointment of Allaster Gair to the position of Director of Communications, effective 7th July.
Gair, who replaces Executive Director George McGregor who announced in March that he would be stepping down from Bacta joins from global advisory consultancy the DGA Group where he spent 5-years most recently as Senior Associate.
Looking ahead to driving the trade association’s communications programme he stated: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Bacta at such a pivotal time for the industry. It represents a sector with deep roots in local economies, and I’m looking forward to proactively championing its value and telling its story.”
He noted: “The key challenge is changing outdated perceptions and I’ll be working hard to ensure stakeholders understand the modern, responsible nature of the industry and how it strongly contributes both economically and socially.
“The sector needs to clearly and consistently influence opinion, build trust, and inform policy in what is a complex landscape. I see huge potential to go on the front foot and tell the sector’s positive stories. In particular I’m keen to highlight its beneficial impact, commitment to safer gambling, and its importance to the wider economy.”
Bacta’s outgoing President John Bollom said: “I am delighted to welcome Allaster who was without doubt the stand-out candidate.
“The comms challenges that we face are significant not least combatting the media onslaught that’s being directed at the Adult Gaming Sector and enhancing the ways in which Bacta engages with its members.
“I would like to place on the record my thanks to George McGregor who ends a 21-year association with Bacta.
“His knowledge and experience have been a great asset and he has been a source of wise counsel during what has been an extremely challenging period for the industry.“
The post Allaster Gair confirmed as Bacta’s Director of Communications appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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