Zeal Network, a leading player in Germany’s online lottery market, has become a member of the German Online Casino Association (DOCV), indicating its growing presence in the wider online gambling industry.
The decision comes as the company seeks to broaden its scope beyond its conventional lottery focus, following a year marked by robust financial performance and the introduction of new products. Zeal’s affiliation with the DOCV further emphasises its commitment to Germany’s regulated gambling framework and initiatives aimed at combating illegal online gaming.
Helmut Becker, CEO of Zeal, aims to “provide a fair and transparent gaming experience”, adding that joining the DOCV reflects its commitment to performer protection and responsible gambling.
Set to offer 200+ games
When Zeal obtained a licence from the Joint Gaming Authority of the Federal States (JGAF) in mid-2023, it entered the online gaming industry. The company has launched several virtual slots and instant-win games through its subsidiaries, LOTTO24 and Tipp24, and plans to increase the number of games it offers to 200. Collaborations have been essential to this expansion.
With the addition of new slot content through a partnership with software provider Swintt, Zeal has become more attractive to players at online casinos. In addition, the business has gone above and beyond the bare minimum required by law by incorporating cutting-edge AI tools to track user behavior and encourage safer gambling.
The move to widen its gambling portfolio follows a record year in 2024. Zeal reported €188.2 million in revenue — a 62 percent increase on the previous year — and added over one million new customers. In the first half of 2024 alone, it acquired 592,000 new users, while EBITDA reached €20.1 million.
Broader role in Germany’s gaming market
In December 2024, Zeal celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking its transformation from a lottery startup to a multifaceted online gaming company. A nationwide property raffle that gave German players the chance to win a furnished home was one of its most recent initiatives.
The company has expressed intentions to play a bigger part in Germany’s broader gambling industry, even though it still dominates the lottery market. With product diversification and DOCV membership in progress, Zeal seems committed to sustaining growth while negotiating the challenges of a highly regulated market.
