Australia-listed slot machine maker Ainsworth Game Technology Ltd (AGT) says it has been informed by its majority shareholder, Austria’s Novomatic AG, that an anti-graft prosecutor in that European country has “filed a demand for prosecution in an Austrian court” regarding an investigation that involved a former chief executive of Ainsworth, Harald Neumann, and Novomatic.
Ainsworth stated in a Monday filing to the Australian Securities Exchange: “With the matter subject to a court process, it is premature at this stage to make any further comment.”
Ainsworth said it would “keep the market informed of developments as required in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations”.
The company added that it was “in the process of notifying applicable regulators of this development”.
Monday’s filing referred investors to an announcement “dated 16 June 2025 relating to investigations commenced in 2019” by Austria’s “Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA)”.
This had “noted that there existed one remaining investigation involving its [Ainsworth’s] former CEO, Mr Neumann and/or Novomatic AG, Ainsworth’s largest shareholder, which was anticipated would be discontinued.”
This last investigation “has been concluded and… WKStA has filed a demand for prosecution in an Austrian court,” stated Ainsworth in its Monday filing.
In June 2025, the Australian public broadcaster, the ABC, reported that Mr Neumann was “under investigation over alleged corruption involving far-right politicians in Austria – allegations he strenuously denied”.
Novomatic said in a statement sent to GGRAsia on Tuesday that: “Due to an order from the Senior Public Prosecutor’s Office” in Vienna and Austria’s “Federal Ministry of Justice, the originally intended discontinuation” of the last outstanding investigation “did not take place”.
The Austrian company added: “It is not comprehensible on what basis of new findings a demand for prosecution has now been filed. Neither were additional interrogations conducted, nor are there any new pieces of evidence that would explain this contrary decision.”
Novomatic spokesperson Alexandra Lindlbauer noted in the statement sent to GGRAsia: “Novomatic has consistently rejected all allegations as untrue from the very beginning.
“Of the originally numerous accusations, all except this last allegation have already been proven to be unfounded during the course of the investigation and thus resulted in legally binding discontinuations.”
She further stated: “We are therefore convinced that this last remaining allegation will also prove to be groundless, and we welcome clarification by an independent court.”
In 2020, after more than five years, Mr Neumann exited as CEO of Novomatic, for what the firm said were “family reasons”. He assumed the role of Ainsworth CEO on October 1, 2021. Mr Neumann stepped down as Ainsworth CEO in October last year.
Last week, Ainsworth reported it had slipped to a 2025 net loss, due to factors including recognition of goodwill impairment relating to its North America business segment. But the group’s revenue and profit in its Asia-Pacific segment improved sharply year-on-year.
Starting in 2025, Novomatic had attempted to acquire the shares in Ainsworth it did not already own. During February this year, Novomatic’s offer was terminated, after it had been unable to gain the 75 percent of shares needed in order to take Ainsworth private.
(Updated 12.38pm, March 3)
