Finnish RAY to rationalise operations

RAY will also modify the company’s structure to better fit the future world of gaming, and interactive co-operation procedures related to eventual temporary dismissals and a permanent decrease in the number of employees will commence.

The co-operation procedures will begin on 3 August, and are related to part of the personnel working at casino games in clubs, arcades, and sales, and the personnel at the casino in Helsinki. The procedures related to the temporary dismissals and permanent decrease in the number of employees affect a total of 345 RAY employees and are estimated to affect approximately 80 person-work years. RAY employs a total of 1,700 gaming professionals.

In addition to the RAY strategy, the need for change is based on the measures taken by the Finnish government and changes in consumer behaviour. According to the revised Lottery Act, the marketing of gaming is limited in autumn 2010, and the general age limit for gaming will be increased to 18 years in 2011. In addition, the lottery tax for slot machine and casino gaming operations will be increased from 8.25% to 10% in the beginning of 2011.

Furthermore, the revenue from casino games has not developed as expected. The biggest change in the gaming operations is that the games have already partially been transferred to electronic distribution channels. RAY will open the online distribution of their games in autumn 2010.