Austrian gaming giant to acquire Ainsworth in $336m deal

Novomatic will buy all of the remaining shares in the pokie machine maker in a deal which expands the Austrian company’s Asian Pacific presence.

Pokie machine maker Ainsworth will be bought out by Austria’s Novomatic.

Gaming giant Novomatic will acquire all of the remaining shares in pokie machine maker Ainsworth Game Technology in a $336m deal that expands the Austrian company’s Asian Pacific presence.

Novomatic will buy the outstanding 47.1 per cent of shares in Ainsworth it does not already own for $1 per share — representing a 35 per cent premium to Ainsworth’s last closing price of 74c on April 24. Shares in small-cap Ainsworth are up 34.5 per cent to 99.5c at 1.15pm AEST.

Ainsworth chairman Daniel Gladstone said an independent board committee had evaluated the deal against the company’s medium-and long-term growth prospects and alternative opportunities.

“It has unanimously formed the view that the proposal represents attractive and certain value for Ainsworth minority shareholders,” said Mr Gladstone.

The buyout comes as Ainsworth’s profit declined 44 per cent in 2024 to $23.2m, affected by challenging economic conditions prevailing in Latin America, increased level of investment and rising cost pressures.

Novomatic, one of the largest producers and operators of gaming technologies in the world, has more than 221,000 gaming and video lottery terminals through either a rental model or in its more than 2100 gaming operations in over 50 countries. These include casinos, slot arcades, sports betting outlets and bingo facilities. 

It develops more than 200 new game variations and designs every year and currently holds over 5000 intellectual rights across the globe.   

Novomatic holds an existing stake of 52.9 per cent in Ainsworth, which it purchased in 2016 from founder Len Ainsworth.

The transaction, which is subject to Ainsworth shareholder approval, is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025. Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval has already been received.

Novomatic, which has gaming operations in 50 countries, will acquire all of Ainsworth.

Novomatic executive board member Stefan Krenn said the acquisition was consistent with the company’s international growth strategy and the expansion of its presence across the Asia-Pacific and the US region.

“As a long-term shareholder, we are familiar with the business and believe that integrating Ainsworth into our operations is in the best interest of this strategy,” said Mr Krenn.

“We look forward to welcoming the highly qualified and experienced Ainsworth employees into the Novomatic family to become part of our international growth and success.”

Sydney-based Ainsworth has operations worldwide, including in North and South America.

Ainsworth announced last year it would develop and release new products to drive additional revenue and profitability after the ASX-listed group suffered from increased competition in Australia.

The company is investing more in research and development for the expansion of its recently created studio in Monterrey in Mexico and established development studios in Sydney, Las Vegas, Austin and Reno. It comes after Ainsworth secured new business with Caesars, Stations Casinos and Wynn.

Ainsworth chief executive Harald Neumann said the company had sustained profitability and a strong balance sheet that had allowed the necessary investment in R&D.

“This strategy has culminated in the release of leading-edge hardware and the establishment of new game development studios that are expected to provide continuous improvements in game performance of our products across all global markets,” said Mr Neumann.
“We are now starting to see the initial positive signs from these investments through the recent products released, receiving positive feedback in the market and an increasing interest in our latest range of gaming products.”

Originally published as Austrian gaming giant to acquire Ainsworth in $336m deal