Zeal CEO: My rocket science background readied me for a strictly regulated sector

(AsiaGameHub) –   Stefan Tweraser was appointed CEO of the German lottery brokerage Zeal in September, bringing a varied professional background that includes e-commerce, consulting, and rocket engineering.

In a recent conversation with iGB, the CEO detailed how his career history has equipped him for the gambling industry, noting his comprehension of how regulation can benefit a sector.

“Before joining Zeal, I was at Rocket Factory Augsburg, constructing satellite launch vehicles in a heavily regulated setting,” he states.

“My key takeaway was that effective regulation establishes a clear structure for innovation: it outlines where innovation is possible and where compromises, such as on safety, are unacceptable. At Zeal, this philosophy applies to domains like responsible gambling.”

Tweraser mentioned the board wanted a leader with a background in regulated industries. He also contributed extensive knowledge of highly scalable digital platforms.

His conversations with the board also involved using regulation as a catalyst for innovation.

“I firmly believe that properly implemented regulation acts as a catalyst for appropriate innovation,” Tweraser informed iGB.

“In its absence, innovation may be influenced by short-term strategies or dubious methods. Robust and uniformly applied regulation ensures fair competition and lets companies concentrate on their core mission: providing customer value.”

Experience in ecommerce

Before his role at Rocket Factory, Tweraser served in executive positions at the independent music service Deezer, and has also worked at Google and A1 Telekom Austria.

His background with other e-commerce platforms also aligned with Zeal’s strategic goal of being perceived as more than merely a gambling service.

“That expertise is directly relevant to Zeal, where demand can surge dramatically in brief intervals, especially during large jackpot events. Handling these fluctuations—technologically and in terms of customer experience—demands an approach distinct from more stable e-commerce operations.”

Before familiarizing himself with the industry and Zeal, Tweraser admitted he had “underestimated the sector’s appeal”.

“Initially, I was drawn by the chance to work across the full value chain. However, upon gaining deeper insight, I grew more appreciative of the fundamental customer drivers,” he continued.

“The way our product teams convert this understanding into distinct offerings is especially compelling.”

Zeal beats revenue forecast in FY25 despite weak jackpot period

The company announced in March a 16% increase in total revenue, reaching €218 million for FY25.

This growth in lottery revenue occurred even with a “weak jackpot environment” during the year.

The revenue figure exceeded the September forecast of €205 million to €215 million by 2%. EBITDA reached €68.8 million, hitting the upper limit of the earlier €63 million to €68 million projection.

Zeal is optimistic about the upcoming year and plans to increase its marketing spend at a pace that outstrips revenue growth.

Tweraser also indicated that Zeal is exploring additional investments in the prize draw sector, with potential expansion beyond Germany.

The CEO expressed strong confidence in the lottery sector’s growth potential. “While the category might appear traditional at first look, very few products actually give people the chance to dream big, even if briefly,” he told iGB.

“I am convinced the category can be very engaging with the right positioning and communication.”

Tweraser succeeded long-serving CEO Helmut Becker, who departed the industry after a decade with the Zeal network.

Becker informed iGB in June of the previous year that he would shift his focus to investing in new startups and entrepreneurial ventures, looking for opportunities in sectors “broader” than gaming.