SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The European Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA) has called for Austria to change its “outdated” online casino gaming system in place.
According to the industry body, Austria’s decision to cling to a monopolistic online casino gaming model is not only putting players at risk but is also the main cause for “hundreds of millions” in losses from tax revenue.
So far, 21 member states across Europe have adopted a multi-licensing system in place that modernises their online gambling frameworks. The outliers in this regard remain Austria alongside Poland, EGBA reminded.
The result – “a thriving black market where thousands of Austrian players gamble on unregulated websites”.
“The country’s outdated gambling monopoly framework not only falls behind contemporary European standards but actively undermines consumer protection, regulatory oversight, and tax generation.”
In its call to action, EGBA further outlined what it believes to be the three main benefits of an online casino multi-licensing approach – with the first naturally being better player protection.
A structured regulated framework for online gaming would mean the introduction of mandatory safeguards, safer gambling tools, and the more prevalent in recent years option of self-exclusion.
Secondly, the industry body argues that a regulatory regime would give Austrian authorities more control over the online gambling market, which will subsequently lead to more efficient monitoring and effective controls.
Lastly, the economic benefits are also considered by EGBA as a key appeal for a change in the system. It believes that multi-licensing can build up to €1bn in tax revenue by 2030 if unregulated online gambling is attached to the tax mechanisms.
These all have been a driving force behind Europe’s recent shift in approach to online gambling, with Finland being the latest country to take the step towards abolishing its monopoly in the vertical and preparing to liberalise the market following the previous successful examples of Denmark and Sweden.
EGBA’s message was specifically addressed to Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), National Council of Austria Chairman Andreas Babler (SPÖ), and Chairwoman Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS), to come up with an action plan that sets multi-licensing as a goal in the new government’s programme.
Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA, added: “The evidence from across Europe is clear and compelling: multi-licensing works. It brings gambling activity into the regulated market, protects consumers, and generates significant tax revenue.
“With government negotiations underway, Austria has a golden opportunity to modernise its approach to online casino regulation and benefit from the proven regulatory approaches elsewhere. The time to act is now.”
Local Austrian industry bodies like the Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling (OVWG) have also recently demanded reforms in the country’s gambling framework.
