International Gambling Groups Push Into Austrian Market and Criticize Reform Plans

Dispute Over Transition Periods and Cut-Off Dates

The gambling levy is also generating discussion. In future, 45 percent of gross gaming revenue must be paid as a levy. Entain described a related provision as a "de facto double burden" ("faktische Doppelbelastung") and noted that it would result in higher burdens than in comparable markets.

Taxes and Double Burden

Another point of contention is the treatment of providers that have compensated players and paid back levies in the past. Anyone wishing to obtain a license must, under the reform plan, withdraw from the Austrian market for at least nine months from the beginning of 2027. Critics see this as a privileging of companies "that have committed serious legal violations in the past, without requiring a longer period of good conduct" ("die in der Vergangenheit schwere Rechtswidrigkeiten begangen haben, ohne Erfordernis eines längeren Wohlverhaltens").

Player protection organizations pointed to a gap: While self-limitation systems exist for online gambling and for small-scale land-based gaming (the so-called "kleine Glücksspiel"), no such mechanisms have so far existed for casinos. The extent of possible losses is also a source of criticism: players could lose up to 5,040 euros in small-scale gambling.

Player Protection and Self-Limitation

Kaizen Gaming also criticized a planned mandatory 15-minute break after every 90 minutes of play as not sensible, instead proposing a five-minute break after every 60 minutes. The maximum stake of five euros and the maximum win of 10,000 euros per game were also contested.

The works council of Casinos Austria, as well as that of a lottery subsidiary operating VLT machines, pointed out together with the ÖGB the high level of player protection in domestic casinos and warned of the loss of 200 jobs if certain offerings were banned. The OVWG warned in this context of "commercially active litigation funders" ("kommerziell agierenden Prozessfinanzierern"), which could lead to a growing number of lawsuits and delays.

Jobs and Litigation Risks

Qlot Consulting advocated maintaining the status quo on concessions for the time being and first strengthening supervisory and enforcement structures "to shape the transitional arrangements in an orderly manner" ("die Übergangsregelungen geordnet auszugestalten"). Relatively satisfied with the plans to date were Brightstar, described as the country's largest lottery provider, and FDJ United, which sees itself as the number five in the world market.

Overall, it is becoming clear that the reform of the Austrian gambling market will remain contested between international groups, domestic operators, player protection representatives, and social partners. The upcoming negotiations are likely to determine which rules will apply in future to concessions, taxes, and player protection.

The submissions will now feed into the further political process. Observers expect that individual points – such as the transition periods and player protection measures – could be adjusted again before the final concession conditions are set.