EGBA urges Austria to modernise “outdated” gambling laws

The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has called on the Austrian government to overhaul the country’s gambling regulations and end the monopoly system for online casino.

While most EU member states have embraced modern licensing frameworks, the EGBA said Austria “remains locked in the past” as one of only two EU countries, alongside Poland, still relying on a monopoly.

“The country’s outdated gambling monopoly framework not only falls behind contemporary European standards but actively undermines consumer protection, regulatory oversight, and tax generation,” the trade association added.

The EGBA’s call comes amid ongoing coalition talks following Austria’s general election on 29 September.

Despite winning, the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has been unable to secure a coalition partner.

President Alexander van der Bellen tasked Chancellor Karl Nehammer, leader of the second-placed People’s Party (ÖVP), with forming a government.

Nehammer plans to create Austria’s first three-way coalition since 1955, with the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and liberal Neos.

In light of these developments, EGBA urges the three parties to seize this pivotal moment to implement much-needed reform.

EGBA’s proposal

The EGBA advocates for the introduction of a multi-licensing system for online casino gaming, a model already adopted by 21 other EU countries.

The association points out that under the current monopoly system, much of the online gambling market operates unregulated, with many Austrian players turning to offshore sites.

By shifting to a multi-licensing system, Austria could align with European best practices, improving consumer protection and regulatory oversight.

The EGBA cites the experiences of countries like Denmark and Sweden, where multi-licensing led to a significant increase in regulated market share, better consumer protections, and increased tax revenues.

In Denmark, for instance, the regulated market share surged from 72% to 90% after multi-licensing was introduced in 2012.

The EGBA argued that moving away from the monopoly system would not only enhance consumer protections — such as access to safer gambling tools like self-exclusion — but also provide substantial economic benefits.

The association estimates that transitioning to a regulated market could generate up to €1bn in additional tax revenue by 2030.

“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,” said EGBA secretary general Maarten Haijer.

“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,” he added.

The EGBA’s recommendations also include the establishment of an independent gambling authority with strong enforcement powers, and the introduction of consumer protection measures such as self-exclusion systems and responsible gambling tools.

Additionally, the EGBA suggests implementing a “competitive GGR-based tax rate” for online casino gaming to ensure revenue generation while allowing licensed operators to offer “a product that effectively competes with offshore sites.”

A longstanding call for reform

This is not the first call for regulatory reform in Austria.

In September, the Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling (OVWG) also called for reform of Austria’s gambling laws.

The appeal followed a Supreme Court (OGH) ruling that allowed previously unlicensed online operators to reclaim winnings paid to Austrian players before regulations were in place.

This decision added a new dimension to ongoing player reimbursement cases across Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands.

The association said the OGH’s decision highlights Austria’s position as a laggard in the EU regarding gambling regulation.

“A market as complex and sensitive as the gambling sector needs clear and fair rules to ensure both the protection of players and the integrity of the entire system,” said OVWG president Claus Retschitzegger at the time.

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