Central Europe

Gambling industry of Austria in the scope of coronavirus

Published

6 years ago

March 19, 2020

Zoltan Tundik

General information about the current state of the Austrian gaming industry as related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Gambling industry of Austria in the scope of coronavirus: what awaits the locals?

What started out as a contained threat somewhere in East Asia – turned out to be a world-wide threat. What we’re talking about, of course, is the coronavirus pandemic that caught the world’s attention. Practically everyone and everything is affected – even the gaming industry has experienced a serious impact. If you’re a visitor of some of the most popular online casinos in Austria, then you too may have some questions about how exactly the gambling industry is affected by the coronavirus. Read the rest of this article to find out.

The effects of Coronavirus on the gaming industry in Austria

It’s still too early to measure the full extent of the coronavirus impact on the Austrian gaming industry – especially given the fact that the pandemic still rages all around the world. But it’s safe to say that land-based casinos have gotten their fair share of profit-loss since the pandemic came out.

Namely, the Austrian authorities have implemented strict measures and now the Austrian casinos are closed. This includes all twelve of the Austrian Casinos that are spread all over the cities in Austria (from Baden to Zell am See).

It’s easy to see why this is the case. In extreme cases, there were even curfew measures introduced by the governments of the severely-affected countries. This means that people are still forced to stay at home until the pandemic gets cleared out – and it follows that they can’t go to the land-based casinos. But also – people are not much in the mood of visiting the online casinos, either.

So, Ute Schreiner, CMO & Product Adviser at CasinoNow Austria Portal, comments the following:

“The gambling industry is a long-term story. Keep calm – we work as usual and continue to review the most popular online casinos in Austria. The current situation is challenging, and online casinos will offer various tasty bonuses to visitors, striving to attract the newcomers and do everything to keep old players.”

How does the future look?

If you follow the news (I bet you do), then chances are that you have seen that the epidemic in East Asia has begun to subside. As more and more of the European countries – Austria included – begin to implement draconic measures to protect the people from the coronavirus – the situation is likely to be under control in the near future.

And this means that the economy will get back to normal – and people will start earning money once again, which, in turn means that the casinos will start to get more and more visitors in the near future. In an optimistic scenario – all of the casinos will reopen and the gaming industry in Austria will return to normal in the end of April 2020.

For now, suffice it to know that people are generally safe when they are in their homes. And if you have access to the internet – then this means that you can still enjoy playing your favorite gambling games – all from the safety of your home.

Online gaming

As it was mentioned by the local industry’s expert – the owners of the online casinos are doing their best to attract new customers and retain their old ones. Given the fact that people are, for the most part, afraid for their lives – it’s easy to see why they aren’t particularly inclined to do online gaming, among other things.

So, in our estimate, in the next six months the owners of online casinos will have to work extra hard to give the players an incentive to play. So, you can expect that there will be newer and bigger bonuses for the new players – in the form of deposit match and free spins. There will also be many other bonuses dedicated to capturing the attention of the current players. This is all good news – the players such as yourself will have an even bigger incentive to use the online casinos until the coronavirus pandemic is finally contained.

In conclusion

Whatever happens, we sincerely hope that the coronavirus pandemic will subside as soon as possible. There are indications that show that exactly this is the case – the number of people that are getting infected is getting reduced in various parts around the world. And, with the implementation of strict measures across the Europe, this trend is likely to continue.

Either way, you can still enjoy playing online gaming games in the relative safety of your home – and the new bonus offers will serve to attract your attention even more. The situation is pretty bad at the moment in terms of eGaming, but as soon as the pandemic stops – the Austrian casinos and eSports industry will start working its way towards full recovery.

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Central Europe

Gaming in Germany Conference returns to Berlin November 10, 2026

Published

8 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-in-germany-conference-returns-to-berlin-november-10,-2026

The Gaming in Germany Conference is set to return to Berlin on November 10, 2026, bringing together key stakeholders from across the country’s regulated online gambling sector. The event will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Ku’damm and is expected to once again attract a wide range of industry professionals.

Organised by Gaming in Europe, the annual conference has established itself as a central meeting point for operators, regulators, legal experts, and service providers involved in Germany’s evolving iGaming landscape.

Key Topics on the Agenda

The 2026 edition will focus on some of the most pressing issues facing the German market. A major highlight will be discussions around the evaluation of the GlüStV 2021 (State Gambling Treaty) and its impact on the regulated online gambling environment.

In addition, the conference will cover a broad range of topics, including:

Regulatory developments and compliance
Market growth and competitive dynamics
Player protection and responsible gambling
Marketing strategies in a regulated environment
The role of eSports within the sector

These sessions are designed to provide actionable insights while fostering dialogue between industry participants and regulatory authorities.

Confirmed Speakers

Although the event is still several months away, a strong lineup of speakers has already been confirmed. These include:

Dr. Jörg Hofmann, Senior Partner at Melchers Law
A senior representative from the GGL (German Gambling Authority)
Dr. Dirk Quermann, President of DOCV
Mathias Dahms, President of DSWV
VP Games at ZEAL Network
Prof. Dr. Christian Piska, University of Vienna
Dr. Nepomuk Nothelfer, University of Agder & Melchers Law
Josh Hodgson, COO at H2 Gambling Capital

This mix of legal, regulatory, and commercial expertise ensures a well-rounded perspective on the challenges and opportunities within Germany’s regulated market.

A Key Industry Meeting Point

Willem van Oort, founder of Gaming in Germany, highlighted the importance of the event:

“After last year’s highly successful edition, we are extremely pleased to return to Berlin in 2026. Our goal is to connect the industry with regulatory and social stakeholders. This year, we expect to gain valuable insights into the evaluation of the 2021 State Gambling Treaty and its impact on the market.”

He also emphasized that the conference remains one of the best opportunities to meet key decision-makers in Germany’s iGaming sector.

Registration and Participation

Industry professionals are encouraged to save the date and secure their place early. The event also offers opportunities for speakers and sponsors to get involved and share their expertise with a targeted audience.

With its strong agenda and high-level networking opportunities, the Gaming in Germany Conference 2026 is set to be a must-attend event for anyone active in the German regulated iGaming market.

The post Gaming in Germany Conference returns to Berlin November 10, 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Central Europe

Gaming Laboratories International Named Best Testing Laboratory in the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026

Published

9 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-laboratories-international-named-best-testing-laboratory-in-the-gamingtech-cee-awards-2026

Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has been named “Best Testing Laboratory in CEE” in the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026. The awards were presented during the Hipther Prague Gaming & TECH Summit. GLI has won this award multiple times in a row.

“We are thrilled to be honored by the industry in this way. At GLI, we have been fully committed to the gaming industry across Central and Eastern Europe for decades, working with suppliers, regulators, and operators to provide the insights and technical expertise that help the industry move forward safely and securely. Being recognized for our efforts is humbling and gratifying,” said GLI Managing Director EMEIA James Boje.

According to organisers, the GamingTECH Awards celebrate the standout companies, teams and individuals shaping the future of gaming, compliance, payments and innovation across Central & Eastern Europe.

The post Gaming Laboratories International Named Best Testing Laboratory in the GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Austria

Wazdan strengthens European foothold with Austrian market entry via win2day

Published

3 days ago

March 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

wazdan-strengthens-european-foothold-with-austrian-market-entry-via-win2day

Wazdan has continued its European growth strategy by entering the Austrian iGaming market through a new partnership with win2day, the country’s only licensed online casino operator. The move represents a significant milestone for the developer as it strengthens its footprint in regulated markets across the region.

The agreement will see a selection of Wazdan’s most recognisable titles made available to Austrian players, including 9 Coins, Hot Slot: 777 Cash Out, and Mighty Wild: Panther. These initial releases mark the beginning of a broader rollout strategy aimed at steadily expanding the studio’s presence on the platform.

Gradual Rollout Strategy

Following the initial launch, Wazdan plans to introduce one new title each month to the win2day portfolio. This phased approach allows the operator to continuously refresh its offering while ensuring each addition aligns with player preferences and market demand.

By focusing on quality over volume, the partnership is designed to enhance player engagement through carefully selected content that combines strong visual appeal with innovative gameplay mechanics.

Bringing Signature Features to Austria

In addition to its established titles, Wazdan will introduce Austrian players to its suite of proprietary features that have become central to its brand identity. These include Hold the Jackpot, Cash Infinity, Collect to Infinity, Sticky to Infinity, and Cash Out.

These mechanics are designed to increase player interaction and extend gameplay sessions by adding dynamic elements and customizable experiences. As operators increasingly seek differentiated content, such features play a key role in enhancing retention and overall player satisfaction.

Partnering with a Trusted Operator

win2day is operated by Austrian Lotteries, a long-established organization with more than four decades of experience in the market. As the sole licensed online casino operator in Austria, win2day holds a unique position, combining strict regulatory compliance with a strong reputation for responsible gaming.

The collaboration brings together Wazdan’s expertise in game development with win2day’s established market presence, creating a partnership focused on delivering high-quality and secure entertainment to players.

Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, said:

“Entering the Austrian market with win2day is a significant milestone for Wazdan and a rewarding step in our continued European expansion. Partnering with a trusted, long-established operator allows us to deliver the quality user experience we are known for to a new audience.”

Georg Wawer, Managing Director of win2day, added:

“As Austria’s only licensed online gaming operator, we are committed to offering a carefully curated portfolio of high-quality games. Partnering with Wazdan allows us to combine engaging gameplay with the highest levels of safety and responsibility.”

Strengthening Regulated Market Presence

As the European iGaming landscape continues to evolve, expansion into regulated jurisdictions remains a key priority for leading developers. Wazdan’s entry into Austria highlights its commitment to sustainable growth through strategic partnerships and compliance-driven market entry.

By aligning with a trusted operator and delivering proven content alongside innovative features, Wazdan is well-positioned to establish a strong presence in the Austrian market.

The post Wazdan strengthens European foothold with Austrian market entry via win2day appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.