As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, authorities worldwide are intensifying efforts to curb illegal and high-risk sports betting. In Austria, city health officials have cautioned the public about the growing dangers linked to online wagering, emphasizing the heightened addiction potential associated with major sporting events.
Ewald Lochner, Vienna’s coordinator for psychiatry, addiction, and drug issues, noted that “many people overestimate the influence of their expertise on their chances of winning—a so-called illusion of control that can promote problematic gambling behaviour.”
Lisa Brunner, chairwoman of the Austrian Association for Addiction Prevention, added, “The more prevalent sports betting is in the context of major sporting events, the more likely it is to become socially accepted.”
Austria Calls for Legal Reforms and Awareness
Currently, Austria stands alone in the EU for not legally classifying most sports betting as gambling, leaving gaps in advertising restrictions, player protections, and taxation. Officials argue that this legal ambiguity undermines effective regulation. Brunner emphasized, “Sports betting is highly dependent on chance and has a high potential for addiction. A comprehensive revision of the gambling law is therefore necessary.” Austrian authorities offer counseling through the Anton-Proksch-Institute and nationwide self-help programs to aid those affected by gambling addiction.
Across Asia, South Korean regulators are acting preemptively. The Korea Communications Standards Commission has blocked 1,280 unlicensed sports betting websites, citing risks of live-betting exploitation and potential theft of deposited funds. The country’s Gambling Control Commission has also launched a tip-based reporting system, rewarding individuals who identify illegal operators. Choi Byung-hwan, chairman of the GCC, stated, “The Gambling Control Commission will concentrate all its capabilities on eradicating illegal gambling sites, and we ask for your active participation.” This campaign runs through July 31, covering the entire World Cup period, and complements collaborations with licensed operators to monitor suspicious activity.
Global Regulatory Alerts
Authorities in South Africa, Malta, the Netherlands, and France have similarly warned of rising illegal betting activity during major sports tournaments. In France, the ANJ emphasized, “Playing with excess means entering a risky zone,” while the Dutch regulator KSA pledged swift enforcement against violations. European officials share concerns that aggressive marketing, sponsorships, and integration of betting with live-streamed matches normalize wagering behavior, particularly among young and vulnerable populations.
Austria’s draft law to liberalize its online gambling market, including ending the current iGaming monopoly, reflects an effort to channel betting into regulated frameworks while offering stronger protections. Industry leaders have cautiously welcomed these changes. Simon Priglinger-Simader, president of the Austrian betting and gaming association ÖVWG, remarked, “It is great that the Austrian government plans to introduce an open online gambling licensing system with qualitative criteria.”