Proposals to stiffen up Austrian anti-illegal gambling measures

If efforts in the Austrian legislature bear fruit, unlicensed online gambling operators could face the double perils of ISP blocking and a situation in which punters are permitted to claim for retrospective losses.

Austrian lawmakers have for years seemed intent on protecting  gambling companies in which the state has a financial interest from competition by simply withholding licensing from rivals, even those operating from EU member nations.

The new moves were unveiled Tuesday by the Austrian Ministry of Finance in a draft amendment to the national Gambling Act which includes the astonishing proposal that Austrian punters at unlicensed sites be empowered to claim their losses over the past 30 years retrospectively.

The idea appears to use such a threat as a deterrent to unlicensed operators, although how such an arrangement could be practically and responsibly implemented is not immediately clear.

The amendment also seeks to inspan the local Telekom Control Commission, requiring ISPs to immediately block any unauthorised operator that continues to accept business from Austrian gamblers.

The proposals have understandably attracted flak from the online trade association Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling, which had pledged to fight the amendments tooth and nail via every legal channel available to it.

Association chief Claus Retschitzegger has warned that many international operators accessing the Austrian market employ Austrians in a variety of roles and also contribute to the economy in a number of ways, not least of which through the 40 percent tax they pay annually to a state that refuses to recognise them or give them anything in return.

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