Johann Graf is an Austrian businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder and Owner of Novomatic Group, one of the largest integrated gaming groups in the world (specializing in gaming machines, online gaming, and casino operations). Born in Vienna, Austria, in 1946, his early career was unconventional: he completed an apprenticeship as a butcher and was Austria's youngest master butcher at age 23.

Graf chose not to continue his parents' butcher shop and pub business. His entrepreneurial journey began in 1974, when he started importing Belgian pinball machines for installation in pubs and cafes. His philosophy centers on technological innovation, aggressive international expansion, and vertical integration in the gaming sector.

• Novomatic Group (Founder & Owner): The core private asset, one of the largest integrated gaming groups in the world, with 30,000 employees and operations in over 50 countries.
• Industrial Pioneer: He started by importing Belgian pinball machines before manufacturing his own gaming machines in 1980.
• Swiss Market Dominance: His first major success was dominating 70 percent of the Swiss market after founding a sales company there in 1982.
• Personal Interests: He is a collector of vintage cars (owning 120+ Jaguars) and is known to avoid the public eye (reclusive).

Johann Graf's strategic genius was his early commitment to manufacturing his own gaming machines (founding Novomatic Automatenhandels GmbH in 1980 with 50,000 schillings starting capital) and aggressively pursuing international sales. By 1990, Novomatic had branches in more than 50 countries, establishing itself as a global force in the gaming industry.

His structural contribution is tied to the successful industrialization of the gaming machine sector and his commitment to combining business and science (he was awarded the title of Professor by the President of the Republic of Austria in 2003). In January 2021, he began a generational change by giving away 20 percent of the shares in the holding company (10 percent to his son, Thomas Graf, the CTO). His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the global gaming and casino market.

Johann Graf's social impact is structural, stemming from Novomatic's role as a massive global employer (30,000 employees) and foundational provider of gaming and entertainment services worldwide. His company contributes significantly to the Austrian economy and technology sector.

His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives. His structural contribution is tied to his belief in technological innovation in the gaming industry and his high civic honors (receiving the title of Professor and serving as a Senator of the UNESCO).

Johann Graf maintains the extremely discreet, low-profile style of a reclusive magnate. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects stability and immense financial power, often contrasted with his background as a butcher.

Residing in Vienna, Austria, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to gaming innovation, industrial scale, and his passion for collecting vintage cars (especially Jaguars).