The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) has called for Austria to scrap its current gambling monopoly framework and introduce a multi-licensing system.
In a statement on its website, the EGBA has asked for the country’s government officials to utilise the ongoing negotiations to reform the current gambling system.
The association said: “The country’s outdated gambling monopoly framework not only falls behind contemporary European standards but actively undermines consumer protection, regulatory oversight, and tax generation.
“While 21 EU member states have already fully modernised their online gambling frameworks through multi-licensing for online casino gaming, Austria remains locked in the past alongside only Poland in maintaining a monopoly system.
“The consequences are clear: a thriving black market where thousands of Austrian players gamble on unregulated websites beyond the reach of local consumer protection measures or government oversight.”
The EGBA is asking for Austria’s Chancellor Nehammer (ÖVP), Chairman Babler (SPÖ), and Chairwoman Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) to introduce multi-licensing for online casino gaming and “build on the foundation of reforms initiated by former Finance Minister Brunner and bring Austria’s gambling regulation into the 21st century”.
The association noted three key benefits of online casino multi-licensing: better player protection tools and measures, improved regulatory oversight to monitor gambling in a market and greater economic benefits through additional tax revenue from licensed operations.
“The evidence from across Europe is clear and compelling: multi-licensing works,” commented Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA.
“It brings gambling activity into the regulated market, protects consumers, and generates significant tax revenue.”
The EGBA added that Austria is currently at a crossroads and that it can “learn from two decades of regulatory experience across Europe and design a best-in-class framework that protects players while maximising the economic benefits”.
As such, the association listed four essential steps for reform: create a competitive licensing framework with strong safeguards, establish a dedicated gambling authority to monitor compliance and market integrity, strengthen consumer protection and design a smart tax policy.
Haijer continued: “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.”
Multi-licensing developments in other European countries were also highlighted by the association, such as Finland which is expected to introduce a licensing system by no later than January 2026.