Novomatic fails in bid to acquire Ainsworth

The deadline has lapsed on the Austrian slot developer’s takeover offer.

Australia.- Ainsworth Game Technology (AGT) has formally cancelled the acquisition agreement with majority shareholder Novomatic. The slots developer’s proposal fell short of the required 75 per cent shareholder approval needed to privatise the company, bringing an end to an acquisition attempt that saw the deadline extended twice, most recently to February 6.

The Ainsworth family opposed the A$1.00 (€0.60) per share offer, arguing it undervalued the business. Kjerulf Ainsworth, in comments to the Australian Financial Review, had claimed that the company’s Florida and Nevada assets were underpriced in the A$68.7m proposal and had pressed the board to justify how the offer represented fair value. Kjerulf tabled a rival offer.

Novomatic’s bid was announced in August 2025, at which point the Austrian developer held 52.9 per cent of AGT’s shares. It was confirmed to achieved a 66.59 per cent stake by January 29, still some way short of the 75 per cent required.

In October 2025, former Novomatic CEO Harold Neumann stepped down after Nevada regulators rejected his gaming licence application. His departure followed reports that Austrian authorities had investigated him for corruption, though no charges were filed.

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See also: Novomatic extends Ainsworth takeover deadline

The deadline has lapsed on the Austrian slot developer’s takeover offer. Australia.- Ainsworth Game Technology (AGT) has formally cancelled the acquisition agreement with majority shareholder Novomatic. The slots developer’s proposal fell short of the required 75 per cent shareholder approval needed to privatise the company, bringing an end to an acquisition attempt that saw the…