Court in Austria orders return of over 2.8 million euros to a gamblin addicted physician from online betting company Bet-at-home
In a recent ruling, the Swiss Federal Court has demanded millions in taxes from online gambling company Bet-at-home, following a decision by the Supreme Court of Austria (OGH). The OGH has convicted Bet-at-home to refund a player's losses totaling around 2.8 million euros, due to the company's role in supporting and profiting from the player's high losses, despite the player being deemed addicted and incompetent to conduct business.
Bet-at-home currently holds valid gambling licenses in Austria, Britain, and Switzerland, and operates legally in these countries. The company's compliance with local gambling laws is evident in its licensing from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the British Gambling Commission (UKGC), and the relevant Swiss authorities.
In Austria, Bet-at-home offers online sports betting services under international licenses accepted in the Austrian market. The country's gambling regulations are strict on casino games but relatively liberal on sports betting, allowing Bet-at-home to continue its operations there.
In Britain, Bet-at-home holds a UK Gambling Commission license, indicating its compliance with UK gambling laws and regulation, and enabling it to provide betting services legally.
In Switzerland, Bet-at-home offers gambling services with Swiss approval, as reflected in its licensing status and welcome packages, thus operating legally within the Swiss regulatory framework.
Despite these legal operations, the OGH has ruled that Bet-at-home's casino offer, on which the doctor lost millions between August 2018 and July 2020, was not lawful. The court holds Bet-at-home responsible for allowing such high losses in an obviously addicted player.
The penalty to be paid could significantly affect Bet-at-home's annual results, which were previously expected to be up to 2.5 million euros. Bet-at-Home Entertainment Ltd., based in Malta, has set aside provisions for the refund of losses.
It is important to note that there is no current publicly available information indicating that Bet-at-home's licenses have been revoked or that it faces bans due to gambling law violations or penalties in these countries as of mid-2025. Instead, the company maintains good standing with multiple European regulatory bodies, emphasizing regulatory compliance.
The proceedings in Germany are suspended until the European Court of Justice (EuGH) makes a fundamental ruling on the treatment of sports betting losses. It is unclear if Bet-at-home faces problems in Britain, where the license has been suspended, as no recent updates have been reported.
The original ruling affecting Bet-at-Home Entertainment Ltd. dates back to 2022, when the doctor, Klaus L., stated that online games definitely cause addiction and he lost millions over the years due to his addiction. The doctor was classified as not competent, which further complicates the appeal over the charge of unauthorized gambling.
Bet-at-home only withdrew from the illegal Austrian market in 2021, following regulatory scrutiny in the gambling industry. The OGH's decision declares Bet-at-home's casino offer null and void retroactively.
In summary, despite the continuously evolving gambling laws in Europe and Austria’s pending liberalization and licensing reforms expected around 2027, Bet-at-home remains legally licensed and operational in Austria, Britain, and Switzerland without recent penalty rulings affecting its legal status. However, the recent ruling by the OGH in Austria serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible gambling practices and the potential consequences for operators that fail to uphold these standards.
- What about the gambling trends in the big-wins section of casino-and-gambling websites like Bet-at-home? It seems that responsible-gambling should be a significant focus, considering the OGH's ruling against Bet-at-home for supporting high losses of an addicted player.
- The victory of Klaus L., a casino-personality, against Bet-at-home marked a turning point in gambling-trends, with the court declaring Bet-at-home's casino offer retroactively null and void.
- In sports betting, Bet-at-home seems to be maintaining good standing in Britain and Switzerland, despite the uncertainty in Germany after the proceedings were suspended by the European Court of Justice.
- Lotteries might not be the only games offered by Bet-at-home, but it is crucial to uphold responsible-gambling practices, especially in the casino-games sector, as the OGH's judgement on Bet-at-home clearly shows.
- The Sports Betting industry is flourishing, and companies like Bet-at-home are expanding their offerings, but the recent OGH ruling serves as a wake-up call for all operators to prioritize responsible gambling to avoid potential financial and reputational losses.
