Helmut Becker to step down as Zeal Network CEO 

Becker will step down after a decade at the helm of the German online lottery provider.

Germany.- Zeal Network has announced that CEO Helmut Becker will not extend his current contract and will therefore leave his role on January 31 2026. Becker has been with the online lottery provider for 12 years, having joined as chief marketing officer (CMO) in June 2013. He has been CEO since September 2015. 

Before becoming CMO, Becker was already a board member at Zeal’s predecessor Tipp24. Prior to that, he worked at the recruitment company Xing AG and spent five years at Ebay. 

Becker’s tenure as CEO at Zeal has included the group’s acquisition of Lotto24, its return to its native Germany and launch of online gaming there in 2023, its expansion to include freiheit+ and its investment in Circl Gaming.

Becker said: “Zeal is in an excellent position to continue to grow in the future. After almost 10 years as CEO, I have decided that now is the right time to pursue my own entrepreneurial endeavours. This has been a difficult decision for me. I will especially miss our exceptionally strong team and the unique culture we have built together, characterised by innovation, customer focus and team spirit. I will continue to work hard until the end of my term to achieve the goals we have set together.”

Supervisory board chairman Peter Steiner said: “Helmut Becker has played a decisive role in taking Zeal’s business development to a new level. Under his leadership, Zeal has established itself as a market leader in the online lottery market, significantly expanded its customer base and crucially broadened its offering through innovative product development.

“On behalf of the supervisory board, I’d like to thank him for his outstanding commitment and strategic vision. We wish him all the best for his personal life and professional career.”

Zeal had begun the process to find a successor. Last year, Zeal Network announced that Peter Steiner would step down from his position as chairman of the Supervisory Board at the company’s 2025 Annual General Meeting. The independent auditor was on the board for 12 years, having joined as chairman of the Audit Committee in 2013.

Meanwhile, Zeal has posted record revenue for 2024. Revenue for the 12 months reached €188.2m. Net profit rose by 333.2 per cent to €59.4m.