Possible GSpG reforms

GSpG is the "skeleton" of Austrian gambling regulation. Against the background of digitalization, the growth of online rates and the emergence of cryptoproducts, the discussion of updating the law is becoming systemic. Below is a map of possible reforms until 2030: what is realistic, what is controversial and how it will affect operators, players and the budget.

1) Licensing and market structure

1. 1 Unified federal circuit for online products

Consolidation of disparate norms into a single register of online licenses (sports betting, casino games, poker, bingo).

Transparent admission criteria: capital/liquidity, ISO certification of information security, RG reporting.

"Product passport": individual permissions by verticals, logging RTP/volatility, control of providers.

1. 2 Re-certification of existing operators

"Big re-registration" every 5-7 years with technological audit (KYC/AML, anti-fraud, SLA payments).

2) Responsible play (RG) and player protection

2. 1 National Center for Self-Exclusion

Single exclusion/timeout base for all licensed brands; auto-synchronization at 24 hours.

2. 2 Mandatory default limits

"Soft caps" of deposits/losses/time with the possibility of increasing only after additional risk assessment (behavioral analytics + check document).

2. 3 Behavioral analytics and "affordability check"

Algorithms for early detection of harmful patterns: frequent deposits, night sessions, interruptions in payments.

Three-level checks of the availability of spending: self-declaration → "soft" documents → in-depth validation.

2. 4 Direct communication standards

RG messages in the interface (risk target), reports to the player: net result, time, number of sessions.

3) Advertising, sponsorship, affiliates

3. 1 Time windows and "watershed"

Hard slots for TV/streams; banning in-play calls with strong FOMO.

3. 2 Sports and eSports Sponsorship

Permit with strict marking 18 + and RG; prohibition of children's tournaments and "school" visuals.

3. 3 Affiliate Sector Reform

Joint liability of the operator for the creativity of partners; white/black lists of formats; 24-hour SLA for clearing violations.

4) Stakes integrities and competition integrity

4. 1 Integration Center

Mandatory alert exchange agreements with leagues/feeds; stop trading on suspicious markets.

4. 2 Lower Division/Youth Restrictions

Limits on markets with high risk of manipulation; prohibitions of personal rates for insiders.

5) Taxes and fees

5. 1 Fiscal model reconfiguration

Transition from current payments to GGR approach or hybrid (GGR + fixed/differentiated vertical collection).

Incentives for "responsible behavior": a reduced rate for operators demonstrating low RG risk and a high proportion of verified players.

5. 2 Prevention Fund

Contributions to the national RG/research fund; grants from NGOs and treatment programs.

6) Technology: KYC/AML, payments, locks

6. 1 new generation KYC stack

eID/Bank-ID, liveness check, sanctions lists, PEP screening; revalidation every N years.

6. 2 Payment circuits

White lists of providers; prohibition of "anonymous" tools; transparency of commissions and courses.

6. 3 Enforcement

Proportional ISP locks + payment blocking for unlicensed sites, while a quick appeal mechanism and a public registry of locks.

7) New and disputed zones

7. 1 Crypto and tokenized wallets

Permission subject to: VASP licensed provider, on-chain analytics, privacy-coins ban and strict Travel Rule.

7. 2 Lootboxes and skins

Classification of "loot boxes" with a monetary equivalent as gambling mechanics → age restrictions, disclosure of probabilities, limits/cooldowns.

"Skins betting" - only for licensed operators; P2P prohibition without KYC.

7. 3 Fantasy Sports and Esports

A clear distinction between the "skill" and "gambling" models; DFS licensing when cash prizes are available.

8) Product transparency and data protection

8. 1 "Game Passport" for Casino Verticals

Public RTP range, variance, bonus mechanics, certification history.

8. 2 GDPR compatibility and minimization

Separation of profiles "marketing "/" risks," prohibition of dark patterns, easy unsubscribe from fluffs/mailings.

9) Oversight and institutional model

9. 1 Regulator gain

Technical competencies: cyber-code for identifying mirrors/bots, laboratory for RNG/live feed validation.

Public reports: number of blocks, RG metrics, share of "pure" advertising, complaints/decisions.

9. 2 Official Player Ombudsman

Pre-trial disputes on payments/verification; mediative response times (e.g., 15 days).

10) Scenarios to 2030

Scenario	Briefly	Probability	Effect for players	Effect for operators	Budget
S1. Moderate modernization	Unified register of online licenses, self-exclusion center, tightening advertising	High	+ protection, clear limits	+ predictability, − compliance costs	↑ stable
S2. Tough digital reform	Affordability checks, payment/ISP block, full game passport	Average	+ + protection, less grey risks	− margin, − withdrawal rate, CAPEX ↑	↑↑ due to detenization
S3. Mini-patching	Spot edits without a single online license	Low	± the status quo	± uncertainty persists	± unchanged

11) What it means for stakeholders

Operators

Compliance restructuring: centralized RG engine, real-time risk scoring, omnichannel KYC revalidation.

Economics: plan EBITDA taking into account RG instruments and increased taxes on high-risk behavior.

Marketing: "white" creatives, strict control of affiliates, rejection of aggressive CTAs in live.

Players

More transparency (history, net position, in-game time), uniform limits and faster dispute resolution.

State

Detenization of the online segment, the new RG fund, the best international cooperation (exchange of alerts, extradition of violators).

12) Practical checklist of readiness for reforms

1. RG/KYC/AML process map and bottlenecks.

2. Introduction of a single player profile: limits, self-exclusion, consent to communications.

3. Product logging: RTP, release version, provider, certificates.

4. Marketing and affiliate policies: white/black lists, SLA 24 h.

5. Integration with integration centers and data providers.

6. Privacy-by-design: DPIA, data minimization, rejection of dark patterns.

7. Communication plan: transparent T&C, RG materials, ombuds procedure.

GSpG reforms are likely to follow the path of digital consolidation: unified online licensing, enhanced RG, managed advertising and tight control of affiliates. Ecosystems that solve three problems win: technological compliance, honest communication and player protection. Such a course simultaneously reduces social risks and makes the market sustainable - both for the budget and for conscientious operators.