ÖBAG has nominated Robert Zadrazil to succeed Wolfgang Hesoun as chairman of Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries after the companies’ March annual general meeting. Hesoun said he would not seek re-election, citing developments in recent months and a lack of support from the minority shareholder’s board during the licence-renewal process.
The leadership change comes as Casinos Austria faces decisions on licences due to expire in 2027.
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Austria's new gambling law is under review, and the finance ministry is expected to tender new lottery licences in autumn, according to a report. Brightstar is developing a consortium, while another unnamed major bidder has formally entered the race; Casinos Austria and its majority owner Allwyn also have interests in the lottery business.
Austria’s coalition negotiators remain divided over whether operators that served customers without local authorisation should gain immediate access to the planned regulated market. A proposed measure could bar companies found to have breached gambling rules in the previous five years from licensing for an additional period; the current sole online licence expires in 2027.
A leaked draft from Austria’s Finance Ministry proposes replacing the online casino monopoly with a multi-operator licensing system. The draft suggests weekly deposit limits of €250 for players under 26 and €1,680 for older users, alongside a €2 cap per spin or round. The existing monopoly licence runs until 2027; the report says a multi-licensed market may not be operational until around 2030.
Austria's Finance Ministry has finalised a draft law that would allow several providers to offer online gambling under a licensing system. Lotteries would remain a monopoly, while online casino licences would initially run five years with a possible 10-year extension. The draft, which is subject to coalition negotiations, would require licensees to hold EUR10m in share capital and settle past tax and court claims.
Allwyn could acquire additional shares in Casinos Austria, where it already holds just under 60%, according to reported speculation. The report says the lotteries business is the main focus, rather than the group’s 12 domestic casinos or overseas interests.