Ainsworth comments on historical investigations into CEO Harald Neumann
Ainsworth Game Technology has acknowledged recent media articles published on 12 and 13 June 2025, which refer to investigations commenced in 2019 by the Austrian Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) into more than 100 people and their suspected associates (which also included Ainsworth’s current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Harald Neumann and the company’s controlling shareholder Novomatic AG).
Ainsworth became aware of the WKStA investigations in August 2019 at the time of the publication of Austrian media articles and communicated with all gaming regulators to ensure that they were aware of the investigations. Mr Neumann was a non-executive director of Ainsworth at the time. Periodic updates on the status of the investigations have been provided to regulators in applicable jurisdictions in accordance with the company’s licensing and compliance procedures.
Ainsworth stated: “Whilst it is not the company’s policy to comment on market speculation or media reports, the Ainsworth Board advises that it considered the matter and the Company’s continuous disclosure obligations at that time, and after obtaining legal advice, determined that no ASX announcement was required including because the investigations were insufficiently definite and preliminary in nature with no factual evidence that would justify the allegations. As part of its ordinary course of business in complying with its regulatory obligations and to determine whether any change in circumstances might require disclosure to the market, the Ainsworth Board regularly monitors the matter through its Regulatory Compliance Committee (RCC). The RCC also receives regular updates from legal representatives acting for both Novomatic AG and Mr Neumann.
“These investigations are a matter of public record and commenced prior to Mr Neumann’s appointment as CEO of the Company in October 2021. Following a probity investigation conducted by the Compliance Division, the RCC recommended that Mr Neumann was suitable from a regulatory standpoint, to be considered for the CEO position. Mr Neumann is licensed and has been found suitable in over 100 jurisdictions where licensure is required, with full knowledge of the investigations.”
“Based on information from WKStA, we are advised that all (except for one) of the investigations involving Mr. Neumann and/or Novomatic AG have been discontinued with the necessary approvals being received from the relevant Austrian regulatory authorities with no findings of wrongdoing. Current information available on the one remaining investigation indicates that WKStA will finalise its examination on the established facts prior to submitting its proposal to the necessary Austrian regulatory authorities for approval to have this last investigation discontinued.”
