Ainsworth Game Technology says it expects an investigation into alleged bribery and illicit political funding involving CEO Harald Neumann to be dropped without any findings of wrongdoing on his part.
Australian media outlet ABC News revealed Neumann’s role in the probe last week.
The investigation relates to Neumann’s time as Novomatic CEO and alleges that he was involved in attempts to influence an appointment to the board of Austria’s gambling regulator.
It is alleged that the board then went in favour of changes to gambling laws that would favour Novomatic. Neumann denies any wrongdoing.
Neumann subsequently resigned as Novomatic CEO in January 2018 before being appointed in the same role at Ainsworth in October 2021.
The development comes as Novomatic, one of Ainsworth’s largest shareholders, looks to complete a full takeover of the company.
“Following a probity investigation conducted by the Compliance Division, the RCC [Regulatory Compliance Committee] recommended that Mr Neumann was suitable from a regulatory standpoint, to be considered for the CEO position,” an Ainsworth statement said.
“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 [Austrian Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office], 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."
