Evoke Under New Legal Scrutiny in Austria Amid Gambling Dispute
Evoke Faces Legal Challenges in Austria
Evoke plc and several of its senior executives are currently under investigation in Austria. The company’s CEO, Per Widerst r m, has been implicated in a private criminal complaint concerning a dispute over historic gambling losses. This complaint was initiated by an Austrian physician and submitted to the Vienna Public Prosecutor s Office on November 13. The primary focus of the investigation is whether Evoke and its subsidiaries conducted gambling activities in Austria without proper authorization.
Claims of Unauthorized Gambling Operations
According to recent reports, legal documents mention Per Widerst r m, formerly the international managing director of Evoke, along with several Malta-licensed brands operating under the company’s portfolio. The lawsuit accuses Evoke of breaching Austria’s gambling monopoly by offering gambling services without the appropriate local license.
The plaintiff seeks to recover years of gambling losses, asserting these losses resulted from playing on unlicensed platforms. In addition to the criminal complaint in Austria, the plaintiff s legal representatives have initiated bankruptcy proceedings in Malta, where Evoke’s headquarters are established. They claim difficulties in tracking the company s financial assets within Malta.
Financial statements from Evoke acknowledge the possibility of legal challenges. The company has allocated 116 million (approximately $151.6 million) in its 2024 annual report to cover legal and regulatory disputes, with Austria and Germany highlighted as significant sources of potential risk. The report suggests that authorities will investigate the claims, though it is uncertain if formal charges will be filed.
Connection to Wider Cross-Border Gambling Conflicts
The case against Evoke is part of broader tensions in the European gambling sector, largely influenced by Malta’s Bill 55 enacted in June 2023. This law protects Malta-licensed gambling operators from enforcement of foreign court rulings related to gambling losses, effectively shielding them from the increasing claims prompted by players in countries like Germany and Austria.
Further complexity has emerged from documents indicating that senior Evoke officials were aware that their operations did not comply with Austrian legal requirements but relied on Malta’s licensing protections. High-level management reportedly opposed reimbursing players involved in the disputes.
This situation is a critical example of the ongoing challenges facing the cross-border gambling market in Europe. In September, Advocate General Nicholas Emiliou provided a non-binding opinion at the European Court of Justice, stating that claims for player losses should not be considered a misuse of EU law. A definitive ruling from the court is expected in 2026, which could have major consequences for companies like Evoke.
