Novomatic in debate over possible state subsidies

There is a huge amount of people who are addicted to gambling in Styria. One of these is a 38-year-old father. He has huge debts and is now suing the manufacturer Novomatic who makes slot machines.

There are 60,000 to 80,000 people addicted to gambling in Styria, said the head of the KPÖ, Claudia Klimt-Weithaler. The 38-year-old father of two has 450,000 Euros in debts and is now suing Novomatic.

According to a report in the “Falter” newspaper, Styria is now considering to support Novomatic in the trial.

“If this is the case and the state takes sides against a man who is addicted to gambling and who is currently financially ruined, then this is a scandal and must be dealt with urgently”, said Ms Klimt-Weithaler.

Furthermore, according to the KPÖ, laws on slot machines are regularly broken. Machines should only allow up to 50 cents per game and a maximum win of 20 Euros.

Ms Klimt-Weithaler accuses the governor of Styria, Franz Voves, of playing down the problem and of denying that there are illegal slot machines.

However, Mr Voves denied her accusation in state parliament: “I never said that there were no illegal machines. What she accuses me of is a complete lie and does not reflect what I said”, he said.