Lottomatica interactive wagers quadruple
Q1 comparatives boosted by introduction of online cash poker and casino in Italy.
The legalisation of new egaming variants in its core market of Italy has helped Lottomatica record an increase of more than 400% in interactive wagers, the company has announced this evening.
According to a statement from the operator the increase, from “117.4m to “589.9m year-on-year, “was primarily attributable to the launch of new games including Poker Cash [sic] and Casino games, which commenced in the second half of 2011”.
Online lottery sales also progressed well following December’s Wire Act clarification in the United States, with Illinois – where subsidiary Northstar Lottery Group began selling tickets over the internet in March – producing “encouraging” results so far.
Overall group revenues were up 11.1% compared to Q1 2011, coming in at “780.3m for the quarter. The biggest area of growth was GTECH lottery, where revenues were up 25.3% year-on-year to “237.5m.
Group CEO Marco Sala said: Lottomatica Group had a record quarter and we continue to build on our momentum from 2011. Most importantly, we are encouraged that the sources of our growth are diversifying and balancing in relation to business units and geographies