Austria is moving forward with changes to its gambling framework that would allow for private operators to compete in the country’s online casino market. The current state monopoly is due to end at the end of 2025, and while no final decision has been made, there is optimism enough to believe that Austria will redo its regulated market.
Austria Is Working Towards a Liberal Online Casino Market
The monopoly of Casinos Austria will most likely end, so that a more liberal model is established in its stead. This will hopefully boost the role of the regulated market. Yet, a decision still hangs with the country’s best-represented parties, such as the ÖVP, SPÖ, and Neos.
The details are being thrashed out, but the Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling, which includes prominent European and international giants such as bet365, LeoVegas, Entain, and Merkur, is already keen to gain an entry into the country and set up shop. They will certainly be doing this when the opportunity presents itself.
The organization, known as OVWG for its German acronym, is confident that there could be major benefits to legalizing the gambling market this way. For starters, the country could scoop up as much as EUR 1.4 billion in tax revenue by 2031, which is already ahead of the state-controlled casino’s contribution.
As to how many operators may be introduced, this will depend. While Internet gambling is a sensitive topic, OVWG estimates that 30 or so licenses would create a robust and competitive market that can start clawing some of the share back from offshore operators.
The First-Mover Advantage for Sports Betting Companies
Furthermore, established betting companies such as Bwin and Tipco, which already operate in the country in that specific vertical, could enjoy a first-mover advantage. However, details about a potential launch of regulated online casinos that are not controlled by the state are a moving target, with no fixed date yet.
Austria is following in the footsteps of other jurisdictions to have come to the same conclusion – that state monopolies are failing to staunch the offshore market and ensure that online casino gameplay remains confined among regulated entities.