Ainsworth Justifies Recent Investments with the Importance of R&D

Ainsworth Game Technology’s leadership has justified its recent investments with the importance of research and development (R&D) to the long-term success of the company.

Ainsworth to Continue Investing in Research and Development

Ainsworth’s chairman, Danny Gladstone, has commented on the slot machine supplier’s plans to continue investing in R&D. Addressing shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting earlier this week, he said that the recent increase in investments has been in line with this strategy.

In 2024, the Australian company increased its expenses by 8%. This reflected increasing R&D-related expenses, which, according to Gladstone, would ensure Ainsworth’s international competitiveness in the long term.

Addressing the company’s shareholders, Gladstone said that the increased investment would ensure that Ainsworth has the necessary resources and expertise to continue developing cutting-edge technology and remain ahead of the curve. He said that this would be crucial to the company’s continued international operation considering the increasingly competitive nature of the markets where its products are available.

Gladstone explained that the release of the company’s Raptor cabinet and other gaming products reflected the company’s continued drive for innovation and satisfying customer demands. He added that player feedback suggests that the products have been well-received.

The Raptor cabinet, originally launched in the US in 2023, made its way to Australian halls earlier this year, causing an instant spike in the company’s 2025 revenue.

R&D Is at the Cornerstone of Ainsworth’s Strategy

Ainsworth’s chief executive officer, Harald Neumann, also commented on the matter, echoing Gladstone’s words that the R&D investments will ensure that the supplier remains competitive.

This commitment to investment in R&D is at the cornerstone of our strategy to ensure we invest in development activities to continue to develop and commercialize new and innovative gaming products.

Harald Neumann, CEO, Ainsworth Game Technology

Board Asks Shareholders to Approve Novomatic’s Takeover Deal

The meeting also saw company leaders discuss Novomatic’s proposal to buy out all of Ainsworth’s shares. After evaluating the proposal, the latter company’s board of directors encouraged shareholders to approve it.

The company leaders argued that, in the absence of a superior proposal, the deal is in the best interest of the shareholders.

If approved, the arrangement will see Novomatic acquire all of Ainsworth’s shares that it doesn’t currently own for AUD 1 apiece. This means that Novomatic will pay approximately AUD 158.6 million ($102.1 million) for the acquisition.