Playtech

RAY signs multi-year exclusive Playtech deal extension

Finland’s national gaming operator has signed a 20-year online contract extension with Playtech, the world’s leading multi-channel gaming software and services supplier – the longest deal in both companies’ histories.

Following four highly successful years with Playtech, generating year-on-year double digit growth and approximately €60 million in gross gaming revenue in 2014, RAY (Raha-Automaattiyhdistys – Finland’s Slot Machine Association), has put pen to paper on a significant gaming software contract extension.

From day one of the initial agreement, Playtech partnered with RAY to plan and launch Ray.fi offering the Finnish government-owned operator its entire online gaming portfolio. This included casino and poker games, a series of localised RAY-branded exclusive games as well as an innovative, dedicated live casino studio launched in August last year. In addition, Playtech worked closely with RAY on a responsible gaming framework specifically designed and adapted in-line with Finnish regulatory requirements. Playtech also confirmed its commitment to support RAY in implementing its ‘Mobile First’ strategy, as part of the organisation’s long-term vision, maintaining its position as the leading eCommerce website in Finland.

The 20-year agreement includes multi-channel gaming software, content and support across online, mobile and retail with an automatic renewal period of four years, and underlines Playtech’s commitment to regulated markets.

Finland’s national gaming operator will continue to enjoy access to Playtech’s leading-edge exclusive content including locally themed in-house and premium branded titles from major studios such as Paramount and Universal, giving the business the strongest and most complete offering available on the market.

Shay Segev, COO, Playtech, said: “This is a landmark contract for both companies and we are delighted to have agreed extended terms with such a valued customer. We have worked together with RAY for four years defining its online offering and created the region’s biggest success story. This demonstrates our hugely powerful technology and services that are able to immediately, and successfully, launch in any newly regulated and regulating markets.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the RAY team on what we believe will be a bright and exciting future as well as expanding Playtech’s reach to other Lotteries and the B2G market,” added Segev.

Timo Kiiskinen, Senior VP Business Operations at RAY, said: “Our four years with Playtech have performed above and beyond expectations. This agreement underlines how much we value our relationship and the industry-leading products we continue to have at our disposal.”