Ainsworth Game Technology Limited (ASX:AGI) remains one to watch this year on the deal scene, with most betting the end game for the electronic gaming machine developer being that it is taken out by its major shareholder. Novomatic AG owns about 52% of AGT, and after the $460 million listed group announced it was embarking on a strategic review, some close to the situation took this as a signal that the group is up for sale and Novomatic
will be the buyer. Another possibility is that the Las Vegas gambling product service provider Light & Wonder, Inc. (NasdaqGS:LNW), formerly known as Scientific Games, buys the business, but sources believe this is only a slim possibility. AGT has Macquarie Capital assessing options, and for Novomatic a full purchase would give it exposure to the Latin America market and also the US market where it does not have such a strong presence. Driving the review has been AGT's languishing share price despite solid performance under strong management, leaving the company's directors questioning whether the business may be better off privatised. Shares in Ainsworth Game Technology are trading at about $1.40 after being around $1.30 two years ago.