Austrian gambling association condemns new monopoly regulations
OVWB condemns the government for clamping down on foreign operators and Mr Green appeals its case against Austrian betting duties
The Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling (OVWB) has spoken out against the government’s plans to block foreign online gambling sites.
The Austrian finance ministry proposed several amendments to the country’s Gambling Act earlier this month in an effort to reinforce the existing monopoly on online casino, including ISP blocking and plans to let players claim back losses from foreign operators.
However the OVWB has said the amendments will not improve player protection as the finance ministry has claimed and would risk 1,000 jobs and €50m in sport sponsorships.
OVWB president, Claus Retschitzegger, said: “Serious operators must not be excluded from the market in the future. For Austria, a re-regulation with a licensing procedure – especially with regard to player protection and legal certainty – is urgently needed.”
“A legally secure framework with licensing and common standards for player protection is therefore essential,” he added.
Retschitzegger said foreign operators accounted for approximately 60% of the Austrian market.
The OVWB represents the interests of operators and providers that offer online gambling services in Austria.
Mr Green has also condemned Austria’s stringent gambling framework and is in the process of disputing the government’s pledge to make foreign operators pay betting duties.
In its 2017 annual report the operator said it had appealed the recent losing judgement it received in its case against the government in an Austrian court.