Austria Prepares to End Online Gambling Monopoly
The Austrian coalition government has taken a significant step toward liberalizing its iGaming sector. A new draft law outlines plans to dismantle the country's long-standing monopoly on online gaming, opening the market to multiple operators starting in October 2027. This move is set to drastically alter the landscape currently dominated by Casinos Austria's subsidiary, Win2Day.
However, entry into the newly regulated market will come with stringent conditions. The proposed framework includes a mandatory cooling-off period for any operator that has been active in Austria's grey market without a license. This period will initially be 18 months, extending to 24 months from 2030, a policy that could disadvantage established grey market players.
The Austrian Betting and Gaming Association (OVWG) has voiced concerns, warning that eliminating numerous operators could inadvertently strengthen the black market. In addition to the cooling-off rule, companies must settle all outstanding taxes and player compensation rulings to be considered for a license.
New Player Protection and Market Rules in Austria
The draft legislation also introduces updated player protection measures and operational limits. These new rules reflect a tightening of online gambling regulation designed to promote responsible gaming.
| Feature | Previous Proposal / Current Status | New Draft Law Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Online Slot Stake Limit | €10 (previously leaked proposal suggested €2) | €5 |
| Maximum Customer Winnings | Leaked proposal suggested €2,000 | €10,000 (remains unchanged) |
| Weekly Deposit Limit | Not specified | €1,680 (€250 for under 26s) |
Furthermore, the law will tightly control game design, mandating breaks and placing restrictions on spin speeds. The land-based casino sector is also set for change, with 13 casino licenses becoming available in the next tender.
CFTC Challenges Illinois Prediction Market Tax
In the United States, a legal battle is brewing over state-level online gambling regulation. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has amended its federal lawsuit against Illinois, seeking an injunction to block the state's new tax and licensing fees for prediction market operators.
The legislation in question, Senate Bill 3019, imposes a 1.75% levy on exchange wagers, which increases to 3.5% after a platform surpasses five million wagers annually. It also requires a $1 million master license fee from the Illinois Gaming Board.
“Defendants’ attempt to regulate CFTC-regulated DCMs and target these DCMs by singling them out for special fees interferes with Plaintiffs’ exclusive authority to uniformly regulate and monitor this congressionally defined market.” - CFTC Amended Complaint
The CFTC argues that this state-level structure is preempted by the federal Commodity Exchange Act, which grants it exclusive authority over such markets. This action follows a similar CFTC intervention in Rhode Island, indicating a broader federal pushback against state efforts to regulate these platforms as traditional gambling.
Corporate Leadership and Strategy in Flux
The iGaming industry is also experiencing significant corporate-level turbulence, with major operators Bragg Gaming and Entain facing pivotal moments.
Bragg Gaming CEO Offers Board Resignation
Matevž Mazij, CEO of Bragg Gaming, has offered to resign from the company's board after shareholders voted against his re-election. The vote saw 55.67% of ballots cast against him, a direct response to a period of sustained underperformance that saw company shares decline by 65% over the past year.
In response to these challenges, which include revenue figures falling short of projections, Bragg has implemented a 12% workforce reduction and a restructuring aimed at generating €4.5m in annual savings. Mazij will continue as CEO while the board considers his resignation offer.
Entain Considers Sale of CEE Business
Meanwhile, FTSE 100 operator Entain is reportedly exploring a sale of its stake in Entain CEE, its Central and Eastern European joint venture. The potential buyer is its current partner, the Czech private equity fund EMMA Capital. This division includes major brands like Croatia's SuperSport and Poland's STS Holding.
The move comes after shareholder criticism of the costly expansion and a recent downturn in performance, with net gaming revenue from the CEE region falling 6% in Q1 2026. An Entain CEE sale could signal a strategic pivot for the company as it navigates a tougher tax environment in the UK and re-evaluates its global assets.
