News
19.02.09 - RAY achieved its targets in 2008
RAY’s gaming revenue and turnover were both up by 1% when compared with the previous year, which is in line with RAY’s target for moderate growth.
In 2008 RAY's revenue increased to EUR 659.5 million. Turnover was up by around EUR 6 million to EUR 605.2 million. The difference between revenue and turnover represents lottery duty of EUR 54.3 million, which is paid to the state.
Profit for the period was EUR 402.5 million, which was EUR 4 million less than in the previous year. RAY’s investments in games and gaming services totalled EUR 26.6 million. Profit for the period was 66.5% of turnover, which represents a slight reduction on the previous year but is still a high level.
Of RAY’s turnover, 78.1% was generated by slot machines located in business partners’ premises, and 3.3% by casino games like Roulette and Black Jack in pubs and clubs. RAY’s own arcades produced 13.0% of turnover, and Grand Casino Helsinki accounted for 5.4%.
EUR 407.5 million for health and welfare
EUR 400.3 million of RAY’s profit from 2008 together with EUR 7.2 million of undistributed profit from previous years will be used to promote health and social welfare in Finland. A total of EUR 407.5 million from RAY’s revenues will therefore be used to promote health and social welfare in 2009. Of this figure, health and welfare organisations will receive a total of EUR 302.5 million in funding grants. In addition RAY will transfer EUR 105 million to the State Treasury towards the costs of operating nursing homes and providing rehabilitation for war veterans. EUR 6.2 million in revenue from previous years will remain available for later use.
New gaming developments
In 2009 RAY will continue to revitalise its gaming operations by offering slot machines which accept electronic payments as well as coins, and by introducing a broader range of gaming alternatives. RAY’s longer term objective is to extend the ePayments and associated ID checking systems to all of its games. This not only benefits players, but also supports efforts to monitor compliance with age limits and to control gambling problems. During 2009 and the next few years RAY is set to invest more than ever before in new technology and the development of its gaming activities.
Further information: Matti Hokkanen, Director of Communications,
tel. +358 (0)40 706 3660
