Austria, along with Poland, stands out as one of the only two European Union countries that does not allow multiple licenses for online casino gaming. The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has criticized this stance as being outdated, claiming it compromises consumer safety, weakens regulatory control, and reduces tax revenue.
The EGBA highlights a significant concern: a flourishing black market in Austria. It states that numerous players engage in gambling on unregulated platforms, which lack essential safety measures and governmental supervision.
The organization further noted that maintaining a monopoly system results in a substantial loss of potential tax income. A study by the Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling indicates that implementing a multi-license framework could bring in an additional €1 billion (£822 million/$1.04 billion) in tax revenue by 2030.
The EGBA is urging Austrian government officials, including Karl Nehammer, Andreas Babler, and Beate Meinl-Reisinger, to consider reforming these regulations.
### Should Austria Align with Its Peers?
In advocating for change, the EGBA pointed out that several European nations have successfully eliminated their monopoly systems. Finland represents the most recent case, planning to transition to a licensing model by 2026, thus allowing more regulated operators to participate.
Countries like Denmark and Sweden have already embraced multi-licensing for online gambling, achieving remarkable results. For instance, EGBA highlights that Denmark saw the channelization of its online gambling market rise from 72% to 90% after introducing multi-licensing in 2012.
“The evidence from across Europe is indisputable: multi-licensing is effective,” stated EGBA secretary general Maarten Haijer. “It channels gambling activities into the regulated space, safeguards consumers, and generates substantial tax revenue. With the government’s current negotiations, Austria faces a prime opportunity to update its online casino regulations and adopt successful models seen in other countries. Now is the time to act.”
### EGBA Welcomes LeoVegas as a New Member
In other developments, EGBA has announced the addition of LeoVegas Group to its membership roster. LeoVegas will actively participate in EGBA’s initiatives, focusing on responsible advertising, promoting safer gambling practices, and adhering to EU anti-money laundering regulations.
“LeoVegas Group, a leader in our field with a strong presence in the Nordic markets, brings valuable expertise to our association. Their involvement will strengthen our combined efforts to advocate for a well-regulated and sustainable gambling industry in Europe,” Haijer noted. “We are eager to collaborate with our new colleagues on our mutual dedication to maintaining high industry standards.”