Novomatic instructed to reimburse players.
Novomatic, a gambling organization, has experienced a loss at the Austrian Supreme Court (OGH). It has been ordered to reimburse a player's losses. By 2014, the player had lost more than 100,000 euros at a slot machine casino situated in Vienna's Prater.
The complainant, who was supported by gambling critic Thomas Sochowsky, argued that the Novomatic subsidiary, Admiral Prater Casinos, had disregarded the betting regulations. At that time, a maximum bet of 50 cents per spin was allowed for the "small game" on the machines. The advertised maximum winning was also limited to 20 euros per spin. Nonetheless, a function allowed players to bet significantly more (up to 6 euros). The court tested one of the machines and gambled away 50 euros in just 32 seconds.
Novomatic's defense lawyers focused on the valid licenses they had obtained for the gaming machines. Consequently, they were legal regardless of their underlying mode of operation. The Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG) agreed with this rationale and overturned the lower court's initial ruling from 2013. But the Supreme Court reversed the decision of the Vienna Higher Regional Court and required Novomatic to recover the losses with interest.
Potential Lawsuits
The Supreme Court's decision is binding on all legal matters and may have pricey consequences for the slot machine colossus Novomatic. Other players might sue for reimbursement of the losses they sustained on the machines in question and refer to the ruling. However, the victorious plaintiffs, Thomas Sochowsky and attorney Peter Ozlberger, are also carrying on with legal action. They seek not only compensation but also accuse Novomatic and owner Johann Graf of intentional illicit gambling. If this can be shown, Novomatic and Graf would be held personally responsible instead of Admiral Prater Casinos. This would be an accomplishment for Thomas Sochowsky, who has been Novomatic's most outspoken critic for years. Sochowsky is spearheading several lawsuits on behalf of wronged players and urges them to connect with him through his website.
Novomatic is not satisfied with the verdict. According to a press release, the company claims the Zurich Administration is accountable. The City of Vienna granted authorization and subjected the devices to routine inspections. The devices always complied with all criteria. Thus, the ruling should be viewed as a critique of the Viennese authorities rather than directed at Novomatic. However, the proceedings too are criticized because they contradicted a separate ruling in Styria on the same issue, and there are factual discrepancies. Hence, Novomatic is contemplating taking legal action against the City of Vienna and taking its case to the European Court of Human Rights with appeals for a fair trial.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
