12 August 2025: Timeline of AGI and the Austrian corruption investigation
2014
Harald Neumann is appointed CEO of Austrian gambling giant Novomatic AG
source: https://www.gamblinginsider.com/executive/342/harald-neumann#:~:text=Following%20on%20from%20this%2C%20Neumann,CEO%20role%20in%20October%2020212016-18
Novomatic AG agrees to buy, and subsequently acquires, a controlling stake in Ainsworth Gaming Technology from Len Ainsworth at a price of $2.75 per share
source: https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/AINSWORTH-GAME-TECHNOLOGY-10353403/news/Novomatic-AG-completed-acquisition-of-additional-51-9-stake-in-Ainsworth-Game-Technology-Ltd-from-34858993/2017
Novomatic AG nominates Harald Neumann as a board director of AGT
source: AGI 2017 AGM results Announcement2019
German language publish that Novomatic AG is involved in a probe into alleged corruption involving far right politicians. The investigation concerns the appointment of an individual to the board of Casinos Austria AG, a lottery and casino operator in which the Austrian government and Novomatic owned stakes. This board allegedly signalled concessions for changes to the law on smallscale gambling that would positively impact Novomatic AG. AGI director (and Novomatic AG CEO) Harald Neumann and Novomatic AG owner and founder Johann Graf were among those named in the probe.
Sources: https://ggbnews.com/article/austrian-prosecutors-investigate-novomatic-head/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-13/austrian-prosecutors-target-freedom-party-s-strache-in-probe?embedded-checkout=true2020
FEBRUARY
After five years as Novomatic CEO, Harald Neumann “stepped back” in February 2020 for “family reasons” and became a “strategic adviser” to Novomatic
Ainsworth Gaming Technology launches its “anti bribery and corruption policy” stating to the market that “This policy is designed to inform all AGT employees that paying bribes and secret commissions to foreign public officials or to persons acting in an agency of fiduciary capacity or position of trust, is prohibited by Australian, the United States of America and other laws.”
source: https://www.gamblinginsider.com/executive/342/harald-neumann#:~:text=Following%20on%20from%20this%2C%20Neumann,CEO%20role%20in%20October%202021 https://www.vindobona.org/article/gambling-ceo-neumann-abruptly-left-novomaticJUNE
Months after his departure from Novomatic, Harald Neumann answered (and avoided) questions by Austrian parliamentarians about his alleged involvement in corruption. His testimony to the Ibiza Committee of Inquiry is available, below, in full.
Source:
Download transcript of Harald Neumann testimonyDECEMBER
Ainsworth Gaming Technology launches its “anti bribery and corruption policy” stating to the market that “This policy is designed to inform all AGT employees that paying bribes and secret commissions to foreign public officials or to persons acting in an agency of fiduciary capacity or position of trust, is prohibited by Australian, the United States of America and other laws.”
2021
Houses were raided in Austria, including that of the country’s finance minister as part of the probe into “whether the People’s Party politician and two other individuals were engaged in corrupt activities”.
German language media release text messages between Harald Neumann and the then finance minister that were recovered in the investigation.
Harald Neumann stepped into the Ainsworth CEO role in October 2021. There was no disclosure to the market in Australia that Neumann was under police investigation relating to the above corruption allegations.
Sources https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report-international/austrian-finance-ministers-home-raided-in-corruption-probe Subscription offers | angebote.profil.at, 15 February 2021:https://www.agtslots.com/au/news-item/ainsworth-names-harald-neumann-as-chief-executive-officer https://www.afr.com/companies/games-and-wagering/ainsworth-board-says-no-need-to-disclose-criminal-probe-into-ceo-20250616-p5m7oz 2022
Final data from the house searches relating to the corruption investigation were approved for analysis by the court.
2023-24
Many suspects refused to testify during the investigation or stated they would only testify after all other investigative steps were completed. As a result, some final interrogations only became possible from mid-2023, allowing the evidence-gathering phase to conclude afterward.
source:
Verfahrenskomplex CASAG: Bestechlichkeit2024
Novomatic AG representative Dr Michael Rohregger discloses to the Nevada Gaming Board that the company is still under investigation regarding the matters in Austria.
source: https://www.youtube.com/live/gMcUGlozfLg?si=0o1YMSEtmrOC12Fj&t=2597 – timestamp ~47minutes2025
JAN 8
Amid ongoing corruption investigations, Novomatic AG signs an agreement to sell its gaming arm, Admiral, in Austria. The company states that it will be focusing on “international business”.
JAN 16
It is reported in Germany language media that while part of the investigation into corruption has been closed, the matters “concerning former Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, two other individuals, and one company—related to allegations of possible corruptibility, bribery, and the acceptance or offering of benefits to influence decision-making—is still ongoing.”
APR 28
Novomatic AG announces a Scheme of Arrangement to buy all remaining shares it does not own in AGI from minority investors for $1 per share.
Source:https://www.novomatic.com/en/explore-novomatic/press/press-releases/novomatic-and-tipico-sign-agreement-on-the-sale-of-admiralVerfahrenskomplex CASAG: Bestechlichkeit)CURRENT
The matter is ongoing and the Novomatic Scheme of Arrangement to buy AGI has not yet been voted on by shareholders.
