A turning point for Sisal. “For the first time, the main activity of Sisal is no longer that of the gaming and betting but payment services, which at the end year will exceed 50% of gross revenues,” says the managing director, Emilio Petrone. For the rest of this 2015 “is objectively a difficult year,” warns the manager. “On the one hand you bet on innovation and diversification of activities it allows us to be a company that is better than other companies in the sector and continues to grow stronger.” But it is also true that, on the other hand, “the regulatory uncertainty that characterizes the way the gaming industry is regulated in Italy and the constant increase in taxation which we are subjected make company management more difficult and risk ruin these results. ”
Too many taxes, Dr. Petrone?
“The taxation on gaming machines in the past year has been raised and this year , the Stability Law, is expected to further retouching higher. Two increases in two years, compared to those who were the concessions agreed and signed, creating uncertainty. We are an Italian company, but we have to convince our international shareholders that Italy is still a better deal than other countries. ”
How do you handle the situation?
“With innovation and diversification. In the gaming industry it is going well the digital part, where we launched several new online betting, even from smartphones. It has proved successful also opening outlets under direct management. ”
Then there is the other half of the business.
“Since 2008, when I joined the company, we open payment services for bills, car tax, mobile phones and so on. The idea is liked by the consumers as well as centers operated by us, can count on the bars and betting shops. ”
You are more capillaries of Post …
“The post offices are about 12 thousand, we have over 40,000 points which you can access our services. ”
How much is the payment system for you?
“I think that already in 2015 will come from services account for more than 50% turnover. So, already this year can be defined as a company Sisal payments rather than “gaming”. ”
As you evolve your offering?
“There will be new, especially technological, because otherwise we cover already more than 500 services . If anything, we make them more and more extensive and easy to use, extending to the entire network can also pay by debit and credit. As for games, even in this area we are increasingly digital, payments can be made not only in our physical points but directly online, on our website. ”
As you grow up?
“That payment is a huge market of 100 billion euro, of which we will we run short 8. There is more than over 90% of the market that we can win, in a context where banks are decreasing more and more doors in the territory. ”
Are you going to turn you into a bank itself?
“We already have the banking license of first level, like institute payment. We are also regulated by the Bank of Italy. ”
In the future you will develop other banking services, in addition to the payments?
“It’s a possibility, but we have not taken any decision in that sense. ”
Sisal year ago he missed by a whisker the appointment with the stock market it is still an option?
“It’s an examination which it is to our shareholders, rather than to management. ”
We have talked about contacts with Lottomatica for a possible merger. Confirm?
“I prefer not to comment.”
In short, you will participate in industry consolidation?
“This is for sure. In recent years we have made nine acquisitions in a market very pulverized. Our industry will be consolidated, I think it is necessary: there are too many workers, often too small. We continue to evaluate opportunities that gradually appear. ”
Sisal back in profit this year?
“We do not know. In recent months, the sportsbook gave less positive margins in previous months. We’ll see. However we aim to close the year with a turnover of close to 15 billion. ”
The weak are affecting Italian football bets?
“No, if anything the area has become more global. The chances of the game, thanks to digital, have multiplied. ”
What about the football pools?
“It’s a historic game to which we are attached, but if we consider only the volume should be closed . From the set piece ritual Sunday has been transformed into a continuous event, the board, bound to a schedule, has given way to bet. Today will be worth yes and no 0.5% of revenues. Instead another historic game as the Superenalotto is still a very important game. That soon we will relaunch “.
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