Bet-at-home.com AG reported a 16.1% drop in gross betting and gaming revenue for the first quarter of 2026, a decline the operator tied directly to its decision to pass Austria's newly raised 5% betting tax through to customers. The move, announced in June 2025, caused a €22 million plunge in sportsbook volume as many punters shifted to rivals who absorbed the tax instead.
The tax pass-through and its cost
Rather than absorb the increased levy, Bet-at-home chose to add the 5% tax to customers' wagers. The effect was immediate: sportsbook volume fell by €22 million in the first quarter alone. Gross revenue across betting and gaming dropped 16.1% compared to the same period a year earlier. The company did not disclose exact revenue figures for Q1 2026.
Competitors' different approach
Several other operators in Austria opted to swallow the higher tax themselves, maintaining their price points and likely capturing customers who left Bet-at-home. The split in strategy highlights the tough math for mid-sized bookmakers in a market where margins are thin and tax changes can quickly shift competitive dynamics. Bet-at-home's decision may have protected its own margins on remaining bets, but it came at the cost of significant volume.
What happens next
The company has not announced any reversal of the customer surcharge. With the tax already in effect and volume still depressed, the coming quarters will show whether the lost business stabilizes or if more players follow the competitors' path. Bet-at-home's next quarterly report is due later this year, and investors will be watching for any sign of a rebound — or further erosion.
