The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has urged Austria to reform its current “outdated” online casino monopoly. The association highlighted that Austria’s model falls short compared to other European nations, asserting that such a monopoly hinders consumer protection, weakens regulatory oversight, and reduces tax revenue.
Alongside Poland, Austria persists with an igaming monopoly, which the EGBA describes as being “stuck in the past.” Although Austria does allow the issuance of multiple licenses for sports betting, similar to Poland, its online casino offerings remain monopolized by Casinos Austria, fostering a significant grey market presence.
This call to action from the EGBA coincides with ongoing coalition discussions in Austria, aimed at forming a new government following the general election in September. Despite the far-right Freedom Party securing the largest proportion of the vote, no government has yet formed due to refusals from other parties to join in coalition. Instead, the centrist People’s Party (OVP), Social Democrats (SPO), and NEOS are engaged in negotiations, which are expected to extend into the new year.
The EGBA has urged the leaders of these parties to seize the opportunity to introduce a multi-licence online casino market as part of the new government’s agenda. They advocate for the establishment of a competitive framework, the appointment of a regulator, harmonization of Austria’s responsible gambling measures with European standards, and the implementation of an intelligent, Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) based tax rate to create a world-class market.
Maarten Haijer, EGBA’s secretary general, asserted that evidence from across Europe demonstrates the effectiveness of multi-licensing. He stated that such an approach brings gambling activities under regulatory frameworks, enhances consumer protection, and significantly boosts tax income. Haijer emphasized that with the ongoing government negotiations, Austria has a prime opportunity to revamp its online casino regulation using successful models from other regions. He concluded with a sense of urgency, stating that the time for Austria to act is now.
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