Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling joins EGBA

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The EGBA and the Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling (OVWG) are pleased to announce that OVWG has joined EGBA as its newest member as per 2 December 2016.

Claus Retschitzegger, President of the OVWG said: "OVWG faces many challenges on the Austrian market and joining the EGBA will strengthen our position both in Austria and on EU level. EGBA has been the leading voice for the industry in Europe for many years, and we can now benefit from their vast experience of other European markets and knowledge of EU law and procedures. The prime objective of OVWG is to support the enactment of a new, fair and modern regulation for online gambling in Austria."

After welcoming in recent years the Gibraltar and Swedish trade associations to the EGBA, OVWG is the third affiliate member to join the EGBA. Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA said: "We are very pleased that OVWG has joined EGBA and we look forward to cooperating. It is puzzling that even Austria, where so many successful online operators originate from, still has no online gambling regulation in place that fits with the realities of the digital economy and online consumer behavior."

Commenting on the current status of online gambling in Austria, Claus Retschitzegger, underlined: "There is too much legal uncertainty with the current regime in Austria for many years. Now, as a relatively new interest group in Austria, we are ready and willing to contribute to a new regulation that is both EU compliant and strong on player protection."

Haijer added: "Our continued membership growth is also a testament to the importance of influencing the discussions at EU level, as EU digital regulation increasingly applies to the online gambling sector. For an evidently cross border sector like ours the proper application and enforcement of EU law becomes ever more important."