Ainsworth Game Technology (AGT), the ASX-listed slot machine provider, confirmed Tuesday that Austrian prosecutors have filed a demand for prosecution involving its former CEO, Harald Neumann and Novomatic AG, the company’s majority shareholder.​

In a filing to the Australian Securities Exchange, AGT said Novomatic informed the company that Austria’s Public Prosecutor’s Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA) has submitted the demand to an Austrian court. AGT added that it will continue to update the market and notify regulators of any material developments in line with their disclosure obligations.​

Unlike other public prosecutor’s offices, WKStA has nationwide jurisdiction and focuses exclusively on serious economic and corruption-related offences.​
 

Connection to the “Casinos Affair”​

The case is partly tied to Austria’s high-profile “Casinos Affair,” itself linked to the 2019 “Ibiza Scandal” that toppled the Austrian government. Prosecutors allege a corrupt arrangement between senior Novomatic executives and former Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, involving the appointment of politically affiliated candidate Peter Sidlo to the board of Casinos Austria in exchange for favourable legislative or licencing treatment.​

Prosecutors argue that Sidlo’s appointment was not merit-based, but rather, he was part of a political quid pro quo, resulting in the scandal triggering widespread investigations into political corruption. Ultimately, this led the government to collapse, as reported by several media outlets.

In addition, Strache was embroiled in the Ibiza affair, where a secretly recorded 2017 video resurfaced in 2019 showing him discussing government contracts in exchange for political support with FPO deputy leader Johann Gudenus in Ibiza, Spain.​

The scandal continues to make headwaves. Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was acquitted last year of charges connected to false testimony in the Ibiza enquiry. This affair remains a symbol of the country’s political instability.​ Another key figure charged includes Johann Graf, founder and owner of Novomatic, one of Europe’s largest gaming companies.​
 

Ongoing Proceedings

Although proceedings against several political figures were discontinued in 2025 due to insufficient evidence of criminal intent, prosecutors continue to pursue charges against Strache and senior Novomatic leadership.​

They have also submitted an application for a corporate fine against Novomatic under Austria’s Association Liability Act, which allows companies to be held accountable for crimes committed by executives or representatives. If upheld, Novomatic could face financial penalties, adding a corporate dimension to what has largely been viewed as an individual corruption case.​

Novomatic, which holds a 67.39 percent stake in AGT, has rejected the allegations, stressing that prosecutors have presented no new evidence to justify moving forward. The company argued that earlier signals suggested the matter might be discontinued, according to Global Gaming Insider.​

Still, applying the Association Liability Act to a major gaming company could set a precedent for corporate accountability in Austria’s gaming and financial sectors.​

(Source: Grand View Horizon)
 

Impact on AGT​

In October 2025, the Nevada Gaming Control Board declined to renew Neumman’s gaming licence, resulting in him stepping down as CEO of AGT. His resignation added international regulatory dimension to the case. Still, the company has stated that the Austrian proceedings are not expected to affect its operations or financial position at this time.

 

 

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