OVWG Annual Report 2021
2021 was another year that will go down in history as “exciting” – be it due to the political earthquakes that occurred in Austria, the ever-present threat of lockdowns or the ongoing discussions surrounding compulsory vaccination.
What has remained unchanged, however, are the demands of the OVWG for a modern gambling regulation that is in line with market and European law: This is the only way to maintain value creation in Austria, and the only way to guarantee the high player protection standards. Last year, online gambling operators with valid EU licences again paid over 100 million Euros in gambling taxes in Austria, invested more than 100 million Euros in Austrian sports and media and provided more than 1,000 highly qualified jobs.
At least approaches towards an independent gambling authority were discussed for the first time, but the efforts have fallen asleep again. Now it remains to be hoped that the current government will recognise the importance of a reorganisation and (like almost all other European countries allready did) establish a fair licensing model that creates equitable conditions for all serious operators.
The OVWG will continue to be the main contact in the online gambling and sports betting sector in Austria, representing the interests of its members in the best possible way. The steadily increasing number of members proves that this is the right way to go.
On the following pages you will find a summary of the activities of the past year in the current Annual Report. We hope you enjoy reading it and wish you a successful and healthy year 2022!