Austria’s gaming companies go from strength to strength.

Austria is home to some of the world’s leading gaming companies, both in the land-based and online gaming industries. Each is characterised by a seemingly unique spirit of entrepreneurship that has seen them expand beyond their local borders to firmly establish themselves on the world stage. Casinos Austria’s international operations, for example, are among the best in the world, while the giant Novomatic Group is present in just about every conceivable market.

Austria’s domestic casino market is set to change following a 2010 European Court of Justice ruling that found the process of awarding gaming licences to Casinos Austria lacked transparency. The government has acted accordingly and is putting the country’s 12 casino licences, plus an additional three new licences, out to tender. The conditions of the tender process mean that the licences have been divided into two packages of six – the so-called Stadtpaket and Landpaket – and the three individual licences. Realistically, this means that a maximum of just five interested parties can be granted the licences. Although the first 12 licences were put out to tender towards the end of last year, the Ministry of Finance has yet to set a timetable for making a decision.

This market report can be read in full in the April 2012 issue of InterGaming magazine