Austria weighs cooling-off period for grey-market operators

Austrian lawmakers are reportedly considering the implementation of a 'cooling-off' period for operators currently active in the grey market as part of the nation's upcoming iGaming legislation. This potential measure is a key point of discussion in the final negotiations surrounding the new law.

The proposed 'cooling-off' period would likely require operators who have been functioning outside the regulated framework to pause operations or meet specific criteria before being eligible for a license. This aims to ensure a smoother and more compliant transition into the newly regulated market.

This debate reflects a common challenge faced by jurisdictions when updating gambling regulations. Balancing the desire to bring the grey market into compliance while ensuring fair competition and player protection is a delicate act, and such transitional measures are often crucial for successful market reform.