Press releases
Robert Chvátal is re-elected as a member of the Eurojackpot Executive Committee
18 May 2021
SAZKA Group is very proud to share that our CEO, Robert Chvátal, who also serves as Executive Chairman of SAZKA Czech, has been re-elected as a member of the Eurojackpot Executive Committee until 2024. Robert will enter his 7th year and third term as part of this prestigious 6-person committee.
Robert Chvátal becomes the Executive Chairman of the Board of Sazka, handing-over the CEO role to Aleš Veselý
25 Jan 2021
From February 1st, 2021, Sazka, the largest lottery company in the Czech Republic, is changing its Executive Chairman of the Board and CEO. Robert Chvátal, the company's current CEO, will become Executive Chairman of the Board of Sazka and in this role, he will keep overall responsibility for driving Sazka’s further growth strategy, regulatory and international relations and he will hand-over its CEO role to Aleš Veselý, the current Chief Marketing Officer and Deputy CEO.
Digital entrepreneur Brent Hoberman to support Sir Keith Mills and Sazka Group on bid to modernise The National Lottery
19 Jan 2021
SAZKA Group is pleased to announce that tech entrepreneur Brent Hoberman CBE has joined an advisory board that is providing support to Sir Keith Mills and the wider team as part of the company’s bid for the Fourth National Lottery Licence. Mr. Hoberman will advise primarily on the seamless integration and management of technology and digital innovation across Sazka’s plans for The National Lottery. The bid advisory board, which recently added Justin King as its retail advisor, will comprise of experts from a range of fields, including good causes, player protection and entertainment.
Retail executive Justin King to team up with Sir Keith Mills and Sazka Group on bid to refresh and revitalise The National Lottery
15 Jan 2021
SAZKA Group is pleased to announce that businessman and former CEO of Sainsbury’s, Justin King CBE, will be the inaugural appointment to an advisory board that will provide counsel to bid chair Sir Keith Mills and the wider team as part of the company’s bid for the Fourth National Lottery Licence. The bid advisory board will include experts from a range of fields, including good causes, player protection, digital and innovation, and entertainment.
KKCG and SAZKA Group announce a strategic investment by Apollo Funds to support their global expansion in the lottery and gaming sectors
10 Nov 2020
KKCG AG (“KKCG Group” or “KKCG”) and SAZKA Group a.s. (together with its subsidiaries, “SAZKA Group” or the “Company”) today announced that funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (“Apollo” and such funds the “Apollo Funds”), one of the world’s leading investors in gaming and largest alternative investment managers, have agreed to invest €500 million in the Company in coordination with Karel Komárek’s KKCG Group. The investment will be effected through an investment into SAZKA Entertainment AG (“SAZKA Entertainment”), a newly- established 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of KKCG, which upon closing of the investment, will be the 100% owner of SAZKA Group.
COVID-19 update
10 Nov 2020
SAZKA Group a.s. (together with its subsidiaries, “SAZKA Group” or the “Company”) wishes to give an update to its stakeholders on the impact of the recent restrictions that have been implemented due to the COVID-19 virus, as well as certain other recent developments.
SAZKA Group teams up with Sir Keith Mills in bid for Fourth UK National Lottery Licence
31 Oct 2020
SAZKA Group, Europe’s largest lottery operator, today announced it has appointed Sir Keith Mills as Bid Chair of the UK team for the Fourth National Lottery Licence Competition. Sir Keith, a successful entrepreneur whose creative talent conceived the loyalty programmes so ubiquitous today, brings a wealth of experience from his roles across sport, charities, and business. He played a pivotal role in London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and subsequently, their successful staging. For the past six years he has chaired the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a role he hands over to Lord William Hague next month. He is also Chairman of the Invictus Games, the international adaptive multi-sport event created by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
Sazka Group enters the competition for UK National Lottery 4th Licence.
03 Oct 2020
Sazka Group, Europe’s largest lottery operator, has announced that it has entered the Gambling Commission’s competition to select the operator of the 4th licence to run the UK National Lottery by completing its response to the Gambling Commission’s Selection Questionnaire.
SAZKA Group H1 and Q2 2020 Results and Update on Current Trading
11 Sep 2020
SAZKA Group a.s. (“SAZKA Group” or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries and associates the “Group”) announces its financial results for the six months to 30 June 2020 and provides an update on current trading.
SAZKA Group Q1 2020 Operational and Financial Review and Update on Current Trading
12 Jun 2020
SAZKA Group a.s. (“SAZKA Group” or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries and associates the “Group”) announces its financial results for the three months to 31 March 2020 and provides an update on current trading.
SAZKA Group FY 2019 Operational and Financial Review and Update on Current Trading
30 Apr 2020
SAZKA Group a.s. (“SAZKA Group” or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries and equity affiliates the “Group”) announces its financial results for the twelve months to 31 December 2019 and provides an update on current trading.
OPAP strengthens its position in online sports-betting in Greece through the acquisition of Stoiximan Group’s Greek and Cypriot business
21 Apr 2020
OPAP S.A., (“OPAP”), SAZKA Group’s Greek and Cypriot subsidiary, has today announced (i) the receipt of regulatory approvals for its previously announced acquisition of 51% of Stoiximan Group’s Greek and Cypriot business (“SMGC”) and (ii) the acquisition (subject to regulatory approvals) of a further stake in SMGC as a result of which OPAP will have a total shareholding of 85% in and sole control of SMGC.
COVID-19 update
17 Mar 2020
SAZKA Group wishes to give an update to its stakeholders regarding the measures our companies and retail partners have taken with regard to the COVID-19 virus outbreak.
SAZKA Group received the Lottery Operator of the Year award
06 Feb 2020
SAZKA Group received the prestigious “Lottery Operator of the Year” award by Gaming Intelligence.
SAZKA Group a.s. Announces Pricing of Bond Issue
30 Jan 2020
SAZKA Group a.s. announces that it has priced €300 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2027 (the “Bonds”).
Q3 2019 Auditor-reviewed updated financial statements
28 Jan 2020
Due to a potential capital markets transaction, the 3Q 2019 SAZKA Group financial statements have been updated and prepared according to IAS 34 and reviewed by the auditor.
Kenneth Morton appointed CFO of SAZKA Group
20 Jan 2020
• SAZKA Group is pleased to announce that Kenneth Morton has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective on 1 February 2020.
• Current CFO Peter Stohr to remain with SAZKA Group until the end of March 2020 to ensure a smooth transition.
SAZKA Group 9M 2019 Operational and Financial Review
23 Dec 2019
SAZKA Group a.s. announces its financial results for the nine months to 30 September 2019.
SAZKA Group commits to headline sponsorship at Global Regulatory Awards 2020
12 Dec 2019
Lottery giant SAZKA Group has committed to headline sponsorship at the GamblingCompliance Global Regulatory Awards (GRAs) 2020 with the event on track for a record number of submissions and attendees.
Novomatic AG and Sazka Group agreed on a sale of Novomatic´s shares in Casinos Austria AG
10 Dec 2019
Sazka Group invites ÖBAG to form long term strategic partnership. Best solution for CASAG
SAZKA Group a.s. Announces Pricing of Bond Issue
12 Nov 2019
SAZKA Group a.s., a joint stock company incorporated under the laws of the Czech Republic and one of the largest pan-European lottery operators, announces that it has priced €300 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Bonds”).
SAZKA Group’s Senior Unsecured Notes SG 5.20/2024: Results of Subscription
23 Sep 2019
SAZKA Group a.s. announces the successful end to the subscription period for the Notes.
SAZKA Group to increase the total nominal value of the Senior Unsecured Notes SG 5.20/2024
04 Sep 2019
SAZKA Group a.s. announces that it will increase the total nominal value of the Notes to CZK 6,000,000,000 due to strong interest from both retail and institutional investors, as well as favourable market conditions for the SAZKA Group business across its markets.
SAZKA Group to issue new mid-term Notes
07 Aug 2019
SAZKA Group a.s. (the “Company“) has mandated J&T BANKA a.s., Česká spořitelna a.s., Komerční banka a.s. and UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia a.s. to place a new 5 year senior bond issuance (the “bond”) with a value of 5,000,000,000 CZK, and the potential increase to 6,000,000,000 CZK.
SAZKA Group has completed the purchase of BSS shares
19 Oct 2018
Vienna, 19 October 2018 – CAME Holding GmbH, wholly owned by SAZKA Group a.s. has completed the takeover of 10.77% of Bankhaus Schelhammer & Schattera AG’s shares in the Medial Beteiligungs-GmbH on October 5th, 2018. As a result, CAME Holding GmbH, which now owns 99.66% of Medial Beteiligungs-GmbH, holds 38.29% of Casinos Austria Aktiengesellschaft. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
The SAZKA Group appoints Chief Technology Officer
03 Sep 2018
Prague, 3 September 2018 – The SAZKA Group continues to strengthen its top management team with the appointment of Tony Khatskevich to the new position of Chief Technology Officer today.
SAZKA Group becomes a strategic partner holding a controlling stake in SuperSport
27 Apr 2018
Prague, April 27, 2018 SAZKA Group, one of Europe’s largest gaming operators, has become a strategic partner holding a controlling interest in SuperSport d.o.o. (“SuperSport”), the Croatian market leader in online and land-based sports-betting by GGR.
SAZKA Group’s Senior Unsecured Notes: Results of Subscription
19 Feb 2018
Prague/London, February 19, 2018 – The subscription period for the 5-year Senior Unsecured Notes SG 4.00/2022 (the “Notes”) has come to a successful end. The Notes were subscribed for in the amount of EUR 200,000,000.
SAZKA Group raises its stake in Casinos Austria AG to 34%
15 Jan 2018
Vienna, January 15, 2018 – The SAZKA Group has increased its indirect stake in Casinos Austria AG from 11.3% to 34%. The increase comes after the European lottery and gaming group completed the acquisition of the indirect shares in Casinos Austria held by LEIPNIK-LUNDENBURG INVEST Beteiligungs AG (LLI) and UNIQA Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH (UNIQA). The transaction received final unanimous approval at Casinos Austria AG’s shareholders' assembly after the SAZKA Group received regulatory approvals from all national and international authorities to acquire the shares.
Gambling Authorities grant SAZKA Group permission to acquire shares in Casinos Austria AG Post closing of the acquisition of the additional shares, the indirect stake of the SAZKA Group in Casinos Austria increases to 34%
27 Dec 2017
Vienna, 27 December 2017 – In December 2017, CAME Holding GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of the SAZKA Group, received the approvals of all outstanding national and international gambling authorities to acquire the indirect shares of LEIPNIK-LUNDENBURG INVEST Beteiligungs AG (LLI) and the UNIQA Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH (UNIQA) of Casinos Austria AG. SAZKA Group has received all the necessary regulatory approvals from authorities in Austria, Australia and Switzerland to complete the share purchase in Casinos Austria AG as agreed in January 2017. At close SAZKA Group will have an indirect stake of 34%.
SAZKA Group is considering an initial public offering for its future development
10 Nov 2017
London/Prague, 10 November 2017 – SAZKA Group a.s. (“SAZKA Group” or the “Company”), one of Europe’s largest lottery and gaming operators, is considering an initial public offering on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. To that end, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, J.P. Morgan Securities plc, which conducts its UK investment banking activities as J.P. Morgan Cazenove and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc have been appointed as Joint Global Coordinators and Nomura International plc as Equity Adviser. If appropriate, further regulatory announcements will be made in due course.
Federal Competition Authority clears SAZKA Group's acquisition of an indirect 22.69% share in Casinos Austria AG from LEIPNIK-LUNDENBURGER INVEST and UNIQA
11 Sep 2017
Vienna, September 11th 2017 - CAME Holding GmbH, part of the Czech SAZKA Group, is authorized by the Federal Competition Authority (BWB) to acquire an indirect 22.69% share in Casinos Austria AG from LEIPNIK- LUNDENBURGER INVEST Beteiligungs AG and UNIQA Beteiligungs-Hold- ing GmbH.
Sazka Group Increases Its Stake in OPAP
09 Jun 2017
Praha 9 June 2017 – The Sazka Group has purchased through its subsidiary Rubidium a 4.8% ownership interest in the EMMA Delta fund from Helixor, a partner of the J&T Private Equity Group. The purchased shares represent an indirect 1.6% ownership interest in the Greek lottery company OPAP.
SAZKA Group entered into binding agreements on the acquisition of further shares in Casinos Austria AG. At completion, SAZKA Group will increase its indirect stake in Casinos Austria AG to 34%
03 Jan 2017
Vienna, January 3rd 2017 - CAME Holding GmbH – a member of the Czech SAZKA Group – entered into binding agreements on the acquisition of shares of UNIQA Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH and LEIPNIK- LUNDENBURGER INVEST Beteiligungs AG in Medial Beteiligungs-GmbH and therefore will increase its indirect stake in Casinos Austria AG. The corresponding agreements were signed today.
KKCG AND EMMA CAPITAL MERGE THEIR LOTTERY ASSETS
17 Aug 2016
Prague, 17 August 2016 – Today's signature of agreements establishing the SAZKA Group joint-venture marks the conclusion of negotiations between the KKCG and EMMA Capital financial groups. The establishment of the joint venture will merge all lottery and gaming assets of the two financial groups, including shares in the largest Greek lottery company OPAP, the Italian company LOTTOITALIA, the Austria-based Casinos Austria and Österreichische Lotterien, as well as a 100% ownership interest in the Czech-based SAZKA a.s. Owned by Karel Komárek and Jiří Šmejc, KKCG and EMMA Capital will hold a 75% and 25% share in the SAZKA Group, respectively. The two groups have also agreed that each of them will be equally responsible for the management and oversight of the SAZKA Group.
KKCG and EMMA Capital among Members of a Consortium Awarded License to Operate "Lotto", the Largest Italian Lottery
15 Apr 2016
Prague, 15 April 2016 – Italian authorities issued today a provisional award under which the new operator of the Lotto lottery will be a consortium of Italian Gaming Holding a.s. (a subsidiary of KKCG and EMMA Capital), Lottomatica, Novomatic Italia S.p.A., and Arianna 2001 S.p.A. The consortium's bid under a tender for the operator of Lotto was submitted on 16 March 2016, and the evaluation committee of the Italian Customs and Monopoly Agency announced the award of the license to the consortium today.
Consortium which includes KKCG and EMMA Capital submitted bid for Italian Lotto Concession
16 Mar 2016
Prague, 16 March 2016 – Italian Gaming Holding a.s., a subsidiary of KKCG Group and EMMA Capital Group, has entered into a consortium to bid for the Italian Lotto tender. The other consortium members include Lottomatica S.p.A., a subsidiary of International Game Technology PLC (“IGT”) (NYSE: IGT), Novomatic Italia S.p.A., and Arianna 2001 S.p.A., a company owned by the Federation of Italian Tobacconists.
Sazka Group and Austria-based NOVOMATIC Form Partnership. The goal of the long-term strategic partnership is to promote the business growth of Casinos Austria.
26 Feb 2016
Vienna, 26 February 2016 – NOVOMATIC, Europe's leading gaming technology group, and Sazka Group, which represents the investment groups KKCG and EMMA CAPITAL, have formed a long-term partnership in which they will operate on an equal basis. The two partners will establish a joint venture using their recently acquired shares in Casinos Austria (CASAG) and Austrian Lotteries.