Austrian game-maker Novomatic has been ordered to pay €2.5 million ($2.9m) to a problem gambler. The fine comes after the slots addict spent €2 million on Novomatic games from 2002 to 2012.
The anonymous plaintiff’s lawyers said that their client was “partially incapacitated” by their addiction. They were unable to work as a result of their gambling problem.
Novomatic Fined in Order to Repay Gambling Addict
The Austrian court that handed down the ruling agreed that the plaintiff had a severe gambling problem. They also ruled that all of the wagers should be paid back to the slots addict, plus interest.
Not only is Novomatic based in Austria, but the anonymous player in question placed all of their wagers from the country’s capital of Vienna. This is why the case took place in Austria.
The slots-maker was found to have breached national laws for betting limits and payouts. This factor also contributed to the plaintiff winning.
Novomatic Fined Back in August
The court’s ruling was originally made back in August 2018. However, local media has just now gotten the story and made it public.
Not surprisingly, the company already has plans to appeal the decision. They don’t believe that they’re responsible for covering the gambler’s losses along with additional interest.
This court loss comes at a tough time for the company. Novomatic warned that “regulatory pressures” could impact their bottom line in the near future.
They’re likely alluding to the pressures of being more socially responsible with problem gamblers. In any case, their financial details don’t reveal any immediate cause for alarm.
They’ve posted a 12.6% increase for year-on-year revenue in the first six months of 2018. Even with the hefty €2.5 million fine, the company should be poised for future success.
Novomatic has turned out a number of hit online slots, including Book of Ra, Dolphins Pearl, and Sizzling Hot.