The Gauselmann Group is back on course for success and is targeting total sales revenues for 2022 at the same level as in 2019 before the pandemic. Overall, the cumulative sales revenues of all group entities in 2019 were approximately 3.4 billion euros. Sales revenues for the family-run corporate group in the first six months of 2019 were at around 1.740 billion euros. The first six months of 2022 closed with sales revenues at 1.746 billion euros.
Paul Gauselmann, company founder and Management Board chairman, said: “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.”
The Group’s development is attributable to its increased diversification. The Gauselmann Group is positioning itself on an ever-broader base, and in doing so reducing its dependence on individual markets and business models. This is also reflected in the current sales performance. The return to pre-COVID levels was only possible 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.
Gauselmann said: “From an entrepreneurial point of view, it was hugely important to drive forward our international business activities.”
“In the meantime, an ever-larger share of sales revenues – around 60% – is generated abroad.”
Gauselmann added: “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.”
“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.”
