Austrian gaming conglomerate Novomatic AG has officially extended its offer to acquire the remaining shares of Australian slot machine manufacturer Ainsworth Game Technology Ltd. This marks the third extension in the takeover process, moving the deadline to February 6, 2026, at 7 PM Sydney time.
Consolidating Global Control
Novomatic, alongside its founder Johann Graf, currently holds a dominant 66.59% majority stake in Ainsworth. The unconditional bid of AUD 1.00 per share (approximately $0.69 USD) is aimed at minority shareholders who have not yet tendered their stakes.
An independent board committee previously evaluated the deal, recommending that shareholders accept the offer as a fair reflection of the company’s current value and future growth potential in the global slot machine market.
The strategic goal for Novomatic is to fully integrate Ainsworth Game Technology’s extensive slot designs and distribution networks into its global portfolio. Ainsworth maintains a strong presence in the Australian and Asian gaming markets, areas where Novomatic seeks to solidify its footprint. Full ownership would allow Novomatic to streamline operations and leverage Ainsworth’s unique IP without the regulatory and reporting complexities of a partially owned subsidiary.
The Internal Family Challenge
The takeover has been complicated by a competing “proportionate” bid from Kjerulf Ainsworth, son of the company’s founder. Offering AUD 1.30 per share for a small percentage of total holdings, the rival bid has created a “tug-of-war” for minority sentiment.
However, Novomatic has explicitly stated it has no intention of raising its offer or engaging with the rival bid. As the February 6 deadline approaches, the market is closely watching to see if Novomatic’s patience will yield the total control it has sought since last summer.
