Austria forms a new gambling authority in a complete overhaul of its regulatory framework

The Finance Minister of Austria, Gernot Blümel, has announced a complete overhaul of the Austrian gambling regulatory framework. In what can be considered wide-ranging changes, player protection controls will be ramped up. There will also be new transparency requirements introduced, and a new supervisory authority formed.

The formation of a new supervising authority has long be needed since currently the Austrian Treasury is responsible for both licensing and enforcement of gambling regulations.

According to Blümel, the regulator’s key focus will be player protection, which requires a series of new controls on legal and illegal gambling:

“Player protection is of particular importance, as gambling is a very sensitive area for players, their families and for society, which also carries considerable risks.”

The Finance Minister added:

“Players are often affected by addiction and as a consequence confronted with financial, psychological and existential issues.”

As a result, a national self-exclusion system covering online and land-based gambling, will be top priority for implementation.

Furthermore, the newly formed regulator is expected to step up enforcement activity against unlicensed operators and will be given the power to order internet service providers to block access to these sites.