Austrian gaming giant, Novomatic, aims to completely take over Ainsworth Game Technology, an Australian gaming company.
Austrian gaming giant Novomatic sets sights on full ownership of Aussie rival
Gaming equipment supremo Novomatic AG plans to snap up the rest of Australia-listed slot machine maker Ainsworth Game Technology Ltd, a move that will give the Austrian company full control of the Down Under manufacturer. At present, Novomatic holds a whopping 52.9% stake in Ainsworth, a position it solidified back in 2016 by acquiring shares from founder Len Ainsworth.
Now, Novomatic intends to fork out AUD1.00 (US$0.64) per share to buy the remaining 47.1% of Ainsworth's shares through a scheme of arrangement. This move would amount to an enterprise value of approximately AUD336.5 million for Ainsworth. The offer comes with a massive premium of around 35% compared to Ainsworth's closing share price as of April 24, 2025.
Key Points
- Novomatic secures "best and final" offer to take full control of Ainsworth.
- Shareholders are firmly advised to support the acquisition, with Ainsworth's independent board committee unanimously recommending the transaction.
- The deal is part of Novomatic's ambitious strategy to boost its presence across the Asia-Pacific and US regions.
Strategic Alliance with Harvest Gaming
Just days after announcing the proposed acquisition, Novomatic inked a strategic distribution partnership with Singapore-based Harvest Gaming. Under the agreement, Harvest Gaming will distribute Novomatic's land-based gaming products in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. This partnership is expected to bolster Novomatic's position in Southeast Asia.
Gambling Regulations
Notably, Novomatic has also landed a Gaming Related Vendor Licence - Tier 1 in the UAE, providing an entry point into the burgeoning market in the Gulf region. The company is also pursuing the acquisition of French casino group Viking Casinos, a deal that would further bolster its presence in the European gaming sector.
Coming Up
The proposed acquisition of Ainsworth is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, with a meeting slated for after July 2025 and final court approval expected in August 2025. In the meantime, stay in the loop as SiGMA brings you the latest on these exciting moves within the iGaming industry.
Ainsworth's shareholders are urged to support Novomatic's acquisition offer, as the independent board committee unanimously recommends the transaction. The strategic distribution partnership between Novomatic and Harvest Gaming is anticipated to enlarge Novomatic's presence in Southeast Asia. Following the meeting scheduled after July 2025 and pending final court approval in August, the proposed acquisition of Ainsworth remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
