Austrian gaming technology company Novomatic AG says it has extended for another two years its funding of gambling addiction prevention research by the Medical University of Vienna. Novomatic announced in writing on Thursday that it would give the institution another EUR120,000 (US$136,575) for research into addiction and for what the company termed addiction therapy.
The university is said to offer therapy for addiction-related behaviour and to conduct at the Vienna General Hospital research into prevention and therapy. Novomatic stated that in-depth research done at the hospital by Gabriele Fischer, the head of the drug outpatient clinic, and of addiction research and addiction therapy, had earned her international recognition. Prof. Fischer advises the United Nations and the World Health Organization as an expert.
“Part of the research projects is only possible because of the co-financing of private sponsors,” the Novomatic press release quoted Prof. Fischer as saying. “Novomatic has been making a substantial contribution for years to support independent research work.”
Novomatic says it has cooperated with the university in the field of addiction prevention since 2006. Last week’s announcement quotes Novomatic head of group corporate responsibility and sustainability Eva Glawischnig as saying cooperation in addiction prevention, and on science and research into the topic, was part of Novomatic’s corporate responsibility effort.
“This commitment is not limited to Austria, but instead takes place in all countries in which we operate,” Ms Glawischnig is quoted as saying.
Novomatic has made some fresh steps in Asian markets this year, seeking to expand its global footprint. It took a 53.58-percent stake in slot machine maker Ainsworth Game Technology Ltd in January, which has since been reduced marginally.
The purchase of the major shareholding in Ainsworth Game for about AUD473.3 million (about US$350.06 million), opened access to new markets both in Asia and the United States. At the time, Novomatic chief technology officer, Thomas Graf, said Ainsworth had “superior gaming technology, clear industry expertise and [an] impressive international footprint, especially in the U.S. market.”
