Austria’s gaming trade body expects reforms by end of year

The Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling (OVWG) has given a clear indication as to when the private sector expects to see reforms happening in Austria.

When the clock hits midnight on 31 December, Finland will officially begin the process of transition to a licensed online gambling market. This will make Poland and Austria the only countries with a hardline state monopoly over iGaming in Europe – with the Austrian license operated by Casinos Austria AG. 

Therefore, the OVWG – a trade body that represents the interests of international gambling firms like Entain, bet365, LeoVegas, and betway – has made a slight nod to Austrian policymakers about the rate at which its partners want change to be happening.

“The ÖVP (Austrian People’s Party), SPÖ (Social Democratic Party), and Neos (National Socialist Party), are expected to begin talks on gambling reform at the federal level soon and reach an agreement by the end of the year,” the trade body said in a statement.

Comments were made as part of a wider OVWG analysis on the prospects of a licensed online gambling market, highlighting that up to 30 operators are ready to enter immediately. 

Among these are Tipico and Entain-owned Bwin, two brands already-known to Austrian consumers through sports betting.

Player protection was used as an argument as to why the market needs to be reformed, with the OVWG citing room for innovation and globally proven good practices. 

A potential reduction in black market prominence was also put forward for consideration, but it might’ve lacked weight due to the example given being neighbouring Germany – a country that is arguably facing one of the biggest black market threats in Europe.

German shareholders will discuss this topic in more detail early next month when they convene in Berlin at the Gaming in Germany Conference, where SBC News will also be in attendance.

Back to Austria, the OVWG further claimed that the tax revenues generated from a licensed online market will be “many times higher” than the current regime, citing numbers in the region of €1.4bn by 2031. 

All in all, the trade body was clear that “excitement is high” and “anything is possible”, with the sign-off expressing hope for even a slight change like a limited number of licences instead of an outright liberalisation, but completely ruling out the continuation of a full state monopoly.