Legislation
Austria – Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling asks for open dialogue on reform
By Phil - 23 March 2021
The Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling (OVWG) has criticised the lack of transparency and information from politicians as they look to modernise the legal situation in Austria and asked for an open dialogue to be established with the industry.
With more than €100m in sports sponsorship and €123m in gaming taxes, the association has demanded open discourse on gambling reform for the industry.
It welcomes the discussions initiated in the Council of Ministers on February 24 on a gaming reform as a long overdue step to modernise the legal situation in Austria, but said the focus must be on a modern licensing system and not on sanctioning mechanisms such as the planned DNS blocking. It argues that without a suitable regulatory model that conforms to European law, such sanctions mean the end for providers with a European but currently without an Austrian license.
OVWG President Mag. Claus Retschitzegger said: “It is completely incomprehensible for us as affected companies, taxpayers and employers in Austria that we are not involved in the current discussions about the reorganisation of gambling and only learn about it from the media. We are talking about planned changes that would fundamentally shake our member companies. Not only would a number of jobs be endangered, but top-class and popular sport would also be massively affected. Annual investments in the amount of around €100m would no longer be possible without an online casino offer and thus numerous leagues, clubs and events in a financing dilemma.”
Dr. Raffaela Zillner, Secretary General of the OVWG, added: “We cannot understand why the government is not talking to us at the moment and we are calling for a dialogue with the aim of transparent and sustainable regulation. Companies that have never been guilty of anything may not be punished for the misconduct on the part of Novomatic and the incidents involving CASAG. If network blocks come without a modern regulation, the horse will be ‘bridled from behind’ and ultimately not only serious companies that pay taxes and duties in Austria – around €123m in gambling levy in 2019 alone – and more than 1,000 people will work give, but also their employees, Austrian mass and top-class sport as well as the Austrian media pay the bill. Our members are licensed in numerous other EU member states. We would like to contribute this experience and knowledge constructively to the reform process.”
Caption: OVWG President Mag. Claus Retschitzegger
