Austria increased its gaming revenues in 2007

Gross gaming revenues for the year reached 15.4 billion euros according to KFP, an increase of 12% over 2006 levels, with further increases expected over the next few years. Increasing Internet penetration and a possible partial liberalization of the gambling sector have been cited as possible contributing factors to this growth.

The research suggests that Austrian online sports betting gross gaming revenues amounted to 4.2 billion euros in 2007, with average growth rates of 50% annually since 2004. Overall the growth in online betting has been higher than from land-based providers during the period.

Online gaming contributed a further 1.5 billion euros in gross gaming revenues, with just over 50% contributed by win2day.at. The remainder was contributed by so-called illegal foreign operators. According to KFP forecasts however, internet growth is expected to slow in the next two years, with 13% and 8% growth forecasts for 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries, owners of win2day.at who together hold the only license for promoting electronic games of chance in the country, have seen their share of the Austrian gambling market decline since 2004. In 2007 only 31% of stakes were placed in Casino Austria establishments, compared to 50% in 2004. Similarly, Austrian Lotteries’ share is said to have fallen from 11% in 2004 to 7% last year.