Ibiza University Committee analyzes sponsorship deals.
In 2020, Novomatic AG's entanglement with politics became a hot topic in the world of gambling. The issue of allegedly illegally funding parties to influence Austria's gambling laws came to the forefront. The committee investigating this case, known as the Ibiza U Committee, recently resumed its work with a focus on sponsorship. So, what did they uncover?
Novomatic's Head of Compliance: No Sponsorship for Parties
As the headlines surrounding Novomatic's potential involvement in the Strache affair dominated the European gambling market, the Ibiza U Committee held 26 meetings throughout the year. And now, with former manager Martin Schwarzbartl's testimony in 2021, the committee has turned its attention to the issue of corporate sponsorship. Schwarzbartl, a former tax investigator, was employed by Novomatic between 2017 and 2020 in both compliance and lobbying roles.
When asked about Novomatic's sponsorship activities, Schwarzbartl insisted that no sponsorship had occurred for political parties. Although he acknowledged that Novomatic had a large number of sponsorship deals, primarily in sports, art, and culture, he defended the company's stance on lobbying. "We're just a gaming company, and like any other business, we strive for positive legislative changes. However, this does not mean that we make illegal party donations or bribe politicians," Schwarzbartl reiterated.
Novomatic receives hundreds of sponsorship requests annually, with most being rejected due to compliance issues. Analyzing the statements made by former Vice Chancellor Strache in the Ibiza video became Schwarzbartl's primary responsibility as Head of Compliance. He worked diligently to review the claims, looking for any potential anomalies or evidence of illegal political sponsorship.
Alois Mock Institute: Legal Funds
A few key sponsorship deals that have attracted significant attention include Novomatic's ties to the Alois Mock Institute, founded by Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP). The reported sums exchanged far exceeded initial expectations. Sobotka, who now chairs the Ibiza U Committee, was criticized for the committee's lack of motivation in investigating the case.
The committee has now seemingly addressed these concerns and questioned Schwarzbartl about these payment transfers. Schwarzbartl confirmed that all background information had been scrutinized and found to be in line with the rules and regulations. There had been no illegal sponsorship of parties or politicians involved in these transactions.
The SK Rapid Wien soccer club, which also boasts several politicians in key positions, acquired sponsorship from Novomatic. The committee questioned whether these politicians were being sponsored indirectly through the club. Schwarzbartl argued that it was not necessarily the case, as the club and the politicians were not directly connected.
Other sponsored events included the Waidhofen/Ybbs Chamber Orchestra and the ÖVP Lower Austria summer party, which was hosted by the ÖVP-affiliated association Wir Niederösterreicher in Wien e. V. (We Lower Austrians in Vienna). There was suspicion raised about hidden party donations made through these associations. However, Schwarzbartl shared that he had not been aware of any emails discussing this matter.
Former Green Leaders Today's Witness: Eva Glawischnig
The questioning of witnesses is shedding little light on the specific operations within Novomatic. The next person to testify before the Ibiza U Committee is manager Eva Glawischnig. The Constitutional Court (VfGH) recently made the decision to call Glawischnig after the ÖVP made a demand for her appearance. Described as a high-ranking individual within Novomatic, Glawischnig has a wealth of knowledge and a vast network of contacts. It remains to be seen if she can provide any substantial details that will help clarify the situation.
It's clear that the accusations against Novomatic have resulted in the resignation of CEO Harald Neumann and a partial pullback from Austria. The potential future impact on the company is unclear. Additionally, Novomatic is dealing with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The land-based business has almost completely stalled due to lockdowns, resulting in losses of around 80% among international customers.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
