Salzburg's little gamble with new opportunities and concerns
In Salzburg, small-scale gambling is to be officially permitted before the summer. The state government's stated goal is to ensure greater control and player protection. However, the draft law is already causing heated debate. Critics accuse the government of giving in to an industry that does more harm than good.
The plan is to issue three licenses for so-called slot machine parlors. This would allow the operation of up to 472 gaming machines. Individual installations in gas stations or bars remain prohibited. A minimum distance of 100 meters from schools and social institutions is also to be maintained. The aim is to keep gambling out of everyday life and keep it under control. But is that really enough?
Only two controllers for 472 machines?
This is precisely where the SPÖ's criticism comes in. According to a parliamentary inquiry, just two state officials are supposed to be responsible for monitoring the new gaming machines. A figure that is not only astonishing, but also raises doubts about the feasibility of the monitoring promises. While the state government argues that all machines will be connected to the Federal Data Center and can thus be automatically monitored, what happens if illegally operated machines are located next to them?
SPÖ MP David Egger-Kranzinger made this clear: “How do you want to ensure that no unauthorized devices are mixed in with the legal ones?”
The question of who is granted access to gaming venues has also not yet been sufficiently clarified. According to Egger-Kranzinger, clear rules for age verification and regular checks of access authorizations are needed. Otherwise, the door is wide open to problematic gambling behavior.
Player or provider protection?
Officially, the aim of legalization is to suppress illegal offerings and better protect vulnerable players. However, many critics see the plan as more of a step toward commercialism than genuine player protection. The opposition calls it "bowing down to the gambling industry" and warns of the social consequences that a hasty move toward legalization could bring.
In addition, financial expectations have been significantly scaled back: Instead of the initial estimate of five to nine million euros in annual revenue, the state now expects only around 1,5 million euros – after deducting all costs, the state will be left with approximately 600.000 euros. For some, this is far too small an amount to justify a risky social gamble.
The state government is nevertheless sticking to its plan. The law is currently in the review phase, and more than a dozen – some critical – statements have already been submitted. Whether they will be heard and result in changes to the law will become clear in the coming weeks. One thing is certain: the path to regulation is open, but the trust of many remains lost for the time being.
