Austria Urged to Revamp Online Gambling Laws with Multi-Licensing System
Austria’s Gambling Monopoly Faces Criticism
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has called on Austria to replace its current monopoly on online gambling with a multi-licensing framework. This move, EGBA argues, would modernise the industry, enhance consumer protections, and boost tax revenues.
Currently, Austria and Poland are the only European Union member states that maintain a monopoly system for online casino gaming. According to EGBA, this “outdated” approach fails to address consumer safety, limits regulatory control, and allows significant tax revenue to go uncollected.
Black Market Concerns and Tax Revenue Potential
EGBA has highlighted the growing issue of unregulated gambling in Austria. Thousands of players, the organisation claims, turn to unlicensed websites that operate without oversight or player protections. Research from the Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling estimates that adopting a multi-licensing system could generate an additional €1 billion ($1.04 billion) in tax revenue by 2030.
The organisation is urging Austrian government negotiators, including Karl Nehammer, Andreas Babler, and Beate Meinl-Reisinger, to consider this potential during current regulatory discussions.
Successful Examples Across Europe
EGBA points to the success of multi-licensing systems in other European countries. For instance, Denmark and Sweden have reported improved consumer protections and increased tax revenue since implementing such frameworks. In Denmark, online gambling channelisation rose from 72% to 90% following its 2012 reforms.
Finland, which currently operates a monopoly system, plans to transition to a multi-licensing approach by 2026. EGBA secretary general Maarten Haijer believes Austria could similarly benefit, stating:
“The evidence from across Europe is clear: multi-licensing works. It brings gambling activity into the regulated market, protects consumers, and generates significant tax revenue.”
LeoVegas Joins EGBA
Separately, EGBA announced LeoVegas Group as its newest member. LeoVegas will contribute to initiatives on responsible advertising, safer gambling practices, and compliance with EU anti-money laundering rules. EGBA welcomed the partnership, citing LeoVegas’ expertise in the Nordic market as a valuable asset.
