Novomatic Extends Ainsworth Takeover Deadline for the Last Time

By Arijit Roul - 4 Feb, 2026 More about the author

Business, Companies

Ainsworth released a regulatory filing on Friday, 30 January, confirming Novomatic extended its off-market takeover deadline. The extension expires at 7 pm Sydney time on 6 February. Earlier, the deal carried the same expiry time on 30 January.

This update reflects another change during Novomatic’s acquisition process involving shareholder resistance. Several shareholders, including Ainsworth family members, continue efforts to block the acquisition. Novomatic and founder Johann Graf now control 66.59% of Ainsworth. This figure appeared in an ASX filing dated 28 January. Plans to purchase the remaining shares nearly failed during the summer of 2025. Opposition came from major investors, including Ainsworth family members, opposing the proposal.

Family head Len Ainsworth founded Aristocrat and turns 103 this year. He sold his controlling stake to Novomatic for A$473m, equal to €277.6m, nearly ten years ago. During this period, Ainsworth reported business pressure linked to the stalled M&A deal. In December, the company warned that pre-tax profit and revenue may fall in H2 against H1. The forecast showed declines of 45.3% for profit and 11% for revenue. This followed the resignation of CEO Harold Neumann during the prior month. The Nevada regulator rejected the renewal of his gaming licence application.

Reports in June 2025 later revealed that Austrian authorities investigated the executive for corruption. Before leaving in 2020, he previously served as Novomatic’s chief executive.