Novomatic, also called Novoline or Novostar in some areas, is one of the mainstays in online gambling and has been in the casino industry for decades. In fact, if you have any experience in
either land-based casino games or online games, you’ve probably played one of their creations. For the most part, they’ve developed classic land-based slot machines and then worked them into
both online and mobile games versions. The company is based in Austria and also runs electronic gaming halls and sports betting shops. Although some people consider any of their subsidiaries and
sister companies to be Novomatic, the entire group is called Novomatic Group and contains over 20 companies.
History of Novomatic
Before it was Novomatic, the company actually got its start in the 1970’s when a butcher by the name of Johann F. Graf partnered with a retailer named Gerhard Brodnik and the two founded
Brodnik & Graf. Together, they made a business out of importing Belgian pinball machines and distributing them to pubs, cafes and brothels. When 1980 hit, Mr. Brodnik left the company and
Mr. Graf launched a series of gaming machines under the name Admiral, with a company name of Novomatic. Over the next decade, the Admiral team worked to improve the technology of their
games and expanded globally. In 1990 Novomatic released American Poker II, which remains popular among gamers today. Shortly thereafter, they were among the first to incorporate touch screens
into their casino machines. Over time, the company has grown substantially, through a series of acquisitions and mergers. They now reach over 80 countries, have more than 19,000 employees, and
net around 4-billion dollars each year. The company takes great pride in responsible gaming and, as such, has very strict rules on where they will allow their games to be played.
Novomatic Games
As noted earlier, this is a company that started in land-based machines and then took their classic games and developed them into online versions. Because of this, they all feature a real casino feel.
Though the company can’t, or chooses not to, compete with those who are putting out studio quality graphics, they deliver in regard to ease of gameplay. Most of their slots are played in exactly the
same way, with the same features and payouts. This makes them simple enough for a beginner to take to.
They’re most well known for their series of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe slots.
However, some of their other popular games include:
Book of Ra
Dolphin's Pearl
Katana
Lucky Lady’s Charm
Power Stars
Secret Elixir
Sharky
Sizzling Hot, Sizzling Hot Quattro, Sizzling6
Xtra Hot
Green Tube
In 2010 Novomatic acquired Greentube, which allowed them to branch out online. As such, many of the early games as mentioned above have a strict Novomatic feel. However, they also added in
numerous other types of online slots, bingo, and table games. Included in the mix are 5 Card Draw, Omaha, and Texas Hold ‘em. Additionally, the variants of 70 and 90-ball bingo are available as well.
They have also put a casino spin on some traditional games of skill, like 8-Ball, Backgammon and darts. Greentube, furthermore, has a group of social casino games, packaged under the Greentube Pro
platform. This selection was developed with the intent to give land-based casinos an online casino that their loyal patrons could play free, while counting down the days to their next visit.
Controversy
It’s also worth noting that Novomatic has seen its share of controversy over the years. On several occasions, groups of people have gotten together to sue the company over unfair or unlawful practices.
In each case, based on information available, the company, or one within the group, paid off those who complained in out-of-court, undisclosed settlements. At one point, an employee also blew the
whistle on the network of computers, stating that outcomes of any of the games could be controlled by anyone at the company’s headquarters. No further details are available at the present time as to
how or if the case was resolved.
Despite some of the controversy, Novomatic remains strong and trusted in the general eyes of the public. Whether their settlements were done out of an attempt to curb negative PR or to cover up
unplesantries remains to be seen.
Today, the company is still largely owned by one of its founders, Johann F. Graf, who has received numerous awards and has been named one of the most successful self-made billionaires in Austria.
His eldest son, Tom Graf, also helps him run the company and together, they are bringing it into the modern age with gusto. Between the sheer number of companies involved, the number of divisions
they’ve branched out into, and their massive profits, they’re sure to remain a household name for several more decades.
either land-based casino games or online games, you’ve probably played one of their creations. For the most part, they’ve developed classic land-based slot machines and then worked them into
both online and mobile games versions. The company is based in Austria and also runs electronic gaming halls and sports betting shops. Although some people consider any of their subsidiaries and
sister companies to be Novomatic, the entire group is called Novomatic Group and contains over 20 companies.
History of Novomatic
Before it was Novomatic, the company actually got its start in the 1970’s when a butcher by the name of Johann F. Graf partnered with a retailer named Gerhard Brodnik and the two founded
Brodnik & Graf. Together, they made a business out of importing Belgian pinball machines and distributing them to pubs, cafes and brothels. When 1980 hit, Mr. Brodnik left the company and
Mr. Graf launched a series of gaming machines under the name Admiral, with a company name of Novomatic. Over the next decade, the Admiral team worked to improve the technology of their
games and expanded globally. In 1990 Novomatic released American Poker II, which remains popular among gamers today. Shortly thereafter, they were among the first to incorporate touch screens
into their casino machines. Over time, the company has grown substantially, through a series of acquisitions and mergers. They now reach over 80 countries, have more than 19,000 employees, and
net around 4-billion dollars each year. The company takes great pride in responsible gaming and, as such, has very strict rules on where they will allow their games to be played.
Novomatic Games
As noted earlier, this is a company that started in land-based machines and then took their classic games and developed them into online versions. Because of this, they all feature a real casino feel.
Though the company can’t, or chooses not to, compete with those who are putting out studio quality graphics, they deliver in regard to ease of gameplay. Most of their slots are played in exactly the
same way, with the same features and payouts. This makes them simple enough for a beginner to take to.
They’re most well known for their series of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe slots.
However, some of their other popular games include:
Book of Ra
Dolphin's Pearl
Katana
Lucky Lady’s Charm
Power Stars
Secret Elixir
Sharky
Sizzling Hot, Sizzling Hot Quattro, Sizzling6
Xtra Hot
Green Tube
In 2010 Novomatic acquired Greentube, which allowed them to branch out online. As such, many of the early games as mentioned above have a strict Novomatic feel. However, they also added in
numerous other types of online slots, bingo, and table games. Included in the mix are 5 Card Draw, Omaha, and Texas Hold ‘em. Additionally, the variants of 70 and 90-ball bingo are available as well.
They have also put a casino spin on some traditional games of skill, like 8-Ball, Backgammon and darts. Greentube, furthermore, has a group of social casino games, packaged under the Greentube Pro
platform. This selection was developed with the intent to give land-based casinos an online casino that their loyal patrons could play free, while counting down the days to their next visit.
Controversy
It’s also worth noting that Novomatic has seen its share of controversy over the years. On several occasions, groups of people have gotten together to sue the company over unfair or unlawful practices.
In each case, based on information available, the company, or one within the group, paid off those who complained in out-of-court, undisclosed settlements. At one point, an employee also blew the
whistle on the network of computers, stating that outcomes of any of the games could be controlled by anyone at the company’s headquarters. No further details are available at the present time as to
how or if the case was resolved.
Despite some of the controversy, Novomatic remains strong and trusted in the general eyes of the public. Whether their settlements were done out of an attempt to curb negative PR or to cover up
unplesantries remains to be seen.
Today, the company is still largely owned by one of its founders, Johann F. Graf, who has received numerous awards and has been named one of the most successful self-made billionaires in Austria.
His eldest son, Tom Graf, also helps him run the company and together, they are bringing it into the modern age with gusto. Between the sheer number of companies involved, the number of divisions
they’ve branched out into, and their massive profits, they’re sure to remain a household name for several more decades.
