Finland’s Slot Machine Association experiences a record year

2012-02-22

Reading time 1:43 min

(Finland).- RAY experienced a strong rise in its results in 2011. Total profits were 410.8 million euros, which is 29.1 million euros more than in the previous year. In addition to revenue used for the public good, RAY disbursed 73.7 million euros to the state as lottery tax, which was 18.2 million euros more than last year.

RAY’s gaming operations collected a total of 739.1 million euros, an increase of an impressive 64.5 million euros (9.6%) compared to the previous year. Despite the fact that operating costs increased by 7% and the state lottery tax was raised, profits increased by 7.8% compared to 2010.

Success attributed to partnerships and development

The excellent success of slot machines was first and foremost a result of cooperation with business partners. Revenue generated from slot machines in partner premises was 572.9 million euros. In addition, the popularity of Internet games exceeded expectations during their first full operating year, generating 29.7 million euros in revenue. RAY’s own arcades also improved their performance compared to the previous year, generating 94.1 million euros in revenue.
During 2011, RAY renewed its stock of slot machines, improved the technical performance of its games and experienced great success with its own newly designed and developed games. Changes in consumer behaviour were taken into consideration by introducing the option of paying for traditional coin-based games with banknotes and debit cards. The positive developments can also be partly attributed to the successfully executed rise in the minimum age for gaming. Starting from 1 July 2011, all RAY games require the player to be 18 years of age or older.

All profits to promote health and welfare

On 2 February, the government decided that in 2012, funding will be distributed to 755 organisations for 1556 individual causes. According to the decision, 277.6 million euros will be distributed to health and social welfare organisations. Later this spring, the government will decide how to distribute a further 13.4 million euros in investment funding. The total sum given out as funding is 291 million euros, which is nearly 25 million euros more than the previous year.

In accordance with the government budget, RAY will also disburse 99.3 million euros to the State Treasury to cover operating costs in nursing homes for disabled veterans and the rehabilitation of front veterans. In 2012, a total of 390.3 million euros of the proceeds from RAY’s gaming operations will be used for Finnish welfare. RAY has also amassed 60.3 million euros in funds to be used for the public good in the coming years.