Austria is experiencing a sharp rise in gambling-related support requests during the FIFA World Cup, with addiction specialists warning that the tournament is intensifying risky betting behaviour, particularly among sports bettors.
According to Vienna’s Anton Proksch Institute, one of Europe’s largest addiction treatment centres, approximately 300,000 adults in Austria are currently affected by problem gambling. The institute says the ongoing World Cup has triggered a significant increase in enquiries, especially from people struggling with sports betting.
Oliver Scheibenbogen, Head of Academy, Research and Digitalisation at the institute, said major sporting events make betting far more visible and accessible. Existing bettors often increase their gambling activity during tournaments, while some people who had previously stopped gambling experience relapses as betting opportunities become difficult to avoid.
The institute also highlighted a widespread misconception that sports betting is primarily a game of skill rather than gambling. While sports knowledge may influence betting decisions, outcomes remain uncertain, and experts warn that this perception can reduce players’ awareness of gambling-related risks.
Particular concern surrounds accumulator (combination) bets, where multiple match outcomes must all be predicted correctly to secure a payout. Although these wagers often promise higher returns, specialists stress that the probability of winning falls dramatically with each additional selection.
Men account for the vast majority of gambling addiction cases treated by the Anton Proksch Institute, outnumbering women by roughly four or five to one. Many patients are between 25 and 28 years old, while those entering residential treatment typically carry debts ranging from €35,000 to €50,000. In the most severe cases, gambling-related liabilities can reach €300,000, creating serious financial and mental health consequences.
The figures align with broader national research published earlier this year by Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG), which found that around four percent of Austrians display at least mild problematic gambling behaviour. The report identified slot machines, sports betting and poker as among the highest-risk gambling activities, while also noting the rapid expansion of online gambling and betting services targeting younger adults.
Austria’s gambling sector remains largely governed by a state monopoly centred on Casinos Austria, although the country is expected to move towards a more liberalised market by October 2027. Industry observers believe the regulatory overhaul will place even greater emphasis on safer gambling measures and consumer protection as new operators enter the market.