Astra Games, the UK subsidiary company of Austria's Novomatic Group, has confirmed recent widespread industry media speculation that managing director Neil Chinn has left the company.

"Neil Chinn has been a valued and much respected colleague and has been at the forefront of many of the significant advances that Astra Games has made, not least of which was bringing to reality the move to the new Astra House premises in Bridgend that were opened last November," said Jens Halle, managing director of Austrian Gaming Industries, from the headquarters of parent company Novomatic.

"On behalf of us all in the Novomatic family - whether at Astra’s home base in South Wales or here in Austria - I would like to express our thanks to Neil for his work over the past few years and wish him every possible success for the future."