Austrian University Introduces Gambling Curricula
In a significant move for the gambling industry, Danube University Krems in Austria has announced the launch of the first formal gambling program in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). This pioneering step in academic and professional training for the sector is set to provide specialized academic training tailored to gambling management, regulation, and industry challenges.
The MBA program in Leisure, Entertainment and Gaming Business Administration is designed for individuals with a completed university education or relevant professional experience. The part-time study, which can be completed in as little as two semesters for those wishing to focus on the essentials, relies on the modern learning method of blended learning. Remarkably, the program can be completed without a first university degree due to the applicant's professional experience.
The program covers a comprehensive curriculum, encompassing management knowledge, social skills, gaming law, game theories, and addiction prevention. It also delves into topics such as Responsibility and Gaming, Business Ethics, Technology, Gamification, Nudging & Game from a Psychological Perspective, Fundamentals of Management, Fundamentals of Analytics & Economics, Business Analytics & Research Methods, Controlling & Reporting, Corporate Financial Management, Marketing Management, Managing Complexity & Project Management, Knowledge Management & Innovation, Business Simulation, Managerial Economics & Global Business Environment, Strategic Management & Competitive Analysis, International Business, Managing People, Leadership, and Politics of Gaming.
The boom in the gambling industry in the DACH region has brought about an economic advantage, but it also necessitates well-trained personnel. Online gambling is popular with young people, with 35 percent of all residents in Germany having already gained experience with it. However, it is crucial to check online casino providers carefully, as there are still many black sheep in the industry.
The iGaming DACH Summit 2025, scheduled for December 3–4, 2025, in Vienna, underlines active regional engagement in industry knowledge-sharing and regulation. This summit plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration among regulators, operators, and innovators, and discussing key themes such as regulatory frameworks and player protection in the German-speaking markets.
Experts from the DACH countries are also actively participating in global conversations on related fields like esports integrity, indicating a holistic approach to gaming education and training that extends beyond traditional gambling into digital and esports environments.
For more detailed curriculum information or program specifics, direct inquiries to Danube University Krems or the upcoming iGaming DACH Summit would be advisable. The administrative head of the Danube University Krems, Willibald Gföhler, has a political background, having served for two years in the National Council for the Greens before his academic career.
The controversy over public funds for the first gaming studies remains, with some politicians opposing public funding and gaming companies supporting the initiative. Despite this, the chances seem good that politics and the gambling industry will eventually find common ground in the dispute over public funds. The Danube University Krems offers the first gambling and casino program at an Austrian university, marking a significant development in formal education for the sector.
- Given the popularity of online casinos in Germany, it is essential that well-trained personnel manage these platforms, ensuring responsible gaming and player protection.
- The MBA program in Leisure, Entertainment and Gaming Business Administration at Danube University Krems in Austria is designed not only for individuals with a completed university education but also for those with relevant professional experience in the field, offering a modern blended learning method and the flexibility to complete the program without a first university degree.
- The program covers a wide range of topics, including management knowledge, social skills, gaming law, addiction prevention, and business analytics & research methods, preparing students for career development and leadership roles in the gambling industry.
- In line with the global conversation on related fields like esports integrity, Danube University Krems' innovative approach to gaming education and training extends beyond traditional gambling into digital and esports environments.
