Early Life
Johann Graf was born in Vienna, Austria, on January 3, 1946. He grew up in a modest environment, raised by his grandparents. Initially, he completed an apprenticeship as a butcher, becoming Austria's youngest master butcher at 23. However, his ambitions extended beyond the family butcher shop, and he sought opportunities elsewhere.
Rise to Success
Graf's entrepreneurial journey began in 1974 when he founded Brodnik & Graf GmbH, importing pinball machines from Belgium. This venture proved successful, and in 1980, he established Novomatic Automatenhandels GmbH. His innovative approach led to rapid expansion, with the company dominating 70% of the Swiss market by 1982. By 1990, Novomatic had a presence in over 50 countries, evolving into a major integrated gaming group. He has expanded the company into over 1,200 gaming and sports betting venues across the globe.
Key Business Strategies
Graf's success stems from several key strategies. He focused on manufacturing, owning, operating, and selling various gambling machines. Additionally, Graf's focus on technological innovation, security, and pioneering new games was crucial. Novomatic developed the MPU 01 chip, which served as the platform for machines like American Poker II. These strategies allowed Novomatic to become one of the largest integrated gaming groups worldwide, with approximately 26,000 employees as of 2026.
Philanthropy
Johann Graf is also known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting various charitable causes and organizations. He has also been involved in supporting research initiatives.
