Ainsworth Game Technology issued a statement about Austrian corruption investigations that began in 2019. The Austrian Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office started probing more than 100 people and their associates.
Harald Neumann, Ainsworth’s current CEO, was among those investigated. Novomatic AG, the company’s controlling shareholder, was also included in the probe.
Neumann worked as a non-executive director at Ainsworth when the investigations started. He didn’t become CEO until October 2021.
Recent media articles on June 12 and 13 prompted the company’s response. The coverage discussed the Austrian investigations that have been ongoing for six years.
Ainsworth first learned about the investigations in August 2019 through Austrian media reports. The company immediately informed gaming regulators about the situation.
The board regularly monitors the matter through its Regulatory Compliance Committee. Legal representatives for both Novomatic AG and Neumann provide regular updates.
Ainsworth’s board considered whether to make an ASX announcement in 2019. After getting legal advice, they decided no announcement was needed.
The investigations were too preliminary and lacked factual evidence to justify the allegations at that time. The company determined the matters were “insufficiently definite.”
Before appointing Neumann as CEO, Ainsworth conducted a probity investigation. The Compliance Division found him suitable from a regulatory standpoint.
Neumann holds licenses in over 100 jurisdictions where gaming operators need approval. All these regulators knew about the Austrian investigations when granting licenses.
Almost all investigations involving Neumann and Novomatic AG have been discontinued. Austrian regulatory authorities gave the necessary approvals with no findings of wrongdoing.
Only one investigation remains active. The prosecutor’s office will finish examining the facts before submitting its proposal to Austrian authorities.
Current information suggests this final investigation will also be discontinued. The company expects the prosecutor to recommend closing the case.
Ainsworth maintains its regulatory compliance procedures across all jurisdictions. The company continues providing periodic updates to gaming regulators as required.
The investigations became public record before Neumann’s appointment as CEO. His regulatory standing hasn’t been affected in any of the 100+ jurisdictions where he holds licenses.
The board authorised this announcement to address recent media coverage. The company doesn’t typically comment on market speculation or media reports.
In May 2025, Ainsworth announced it forecasted a $14m profit before tax for H1 2025, primarily due to increased performance in the Australian market following the Raptor cabinet release. Despite this, International revenues remained under stress due to ongoing challenges in markets such as Europe and Mexico.
Novomatic AG has also been making global expansions, as it recently secured a UAE licence and a 10-year extension of its Dutch gaming vendor licence.
