Austria's First University Offering a Degree in Casinos
The world of gambling and casinos has become a significant part of the mainstream, with a substantial economic impact. But the competition is fierce, both locally and globally, and advancements are happening rapidly. In order to keep up, the gaming industry needs skilled professionals. Danube University Krems is stepping up to the challenge by offering "Leisure, Entertainment and Gaming Business Management," the first gambling and casino degree program at an Austrian university.
Well-equipped for the gambling industry
When you think of casinos, you probably picture flashing lights, busy arcades, and piles of chips. But what many don't realize is that there's a lot happening behind the scenes. The gaming market has come a long way in recent years, experiencing steady growth across Europe, including the German-speaking countries. However, it's not all smooth sailing—challenges abound, presenting both threats and opportunities for brick-and-mortar casinos and other gaming industry players like game and software makers, sports betting providers, and more.
With technology advancing at a breakneck pace, the industry is undergoing rapid changes. In particular, digitalization has brought about new ways of offering gambling experiences, and it's capturing the young audience. According to a Handelsblatt study, 35% of people in Germany have already dipped their toes into online gambling. While there are now more quality online casinos in Germany, there are still questionable ones in the mix.
"Apart from a few exceptions, the results of digitalization are not new forms of gaming or events, but rather new features for existing gambling offers. The nature of the game (casino game, lottery, bet, slot machine) remains largely unchanged." – Study "The Digitalization of Gambling" by Handelsblatt / Research Institute*
The same trend can be observed in Switzerland and Austria, where the gaming industry boom also presents an economic opportunity. Yet, it necessitates well-prepared personnel. A host of challenges confront companies in this sector: not merely technical and digital ones, but also the need for qualified management professionals well-versed in the particular structures of the industry. To fill this need, Austria's Danube University Krems introduced the first degree program in 2017, designed to prepare young students for this role.
Austria's Danube University Krems leads the way
The first gambling degree course in a German-speaking university in Austria, "Leisure, Entertainment and Gaming Business Management," is an MBA program that can be earned by successful completion. This course covers more than just recreational gaming, though.
This accredited program aims to train the managers of tomorrow's gambling industry, marrying management knowledge based on the latest research with crucial soft skills like team leadership. However, it's clear that the course isn't just about games: it's geared toward the gambling industry, and its curriculum includes modules like gambling law, gambling theory, and addiction prevention.
"The framework conditions and competitive situations of companies are changing faster and faster. It is therefore becoming increasingly important for managers and entrepreneurs to have a repertoire of strategies, concepts and tools that will enable them to lead their companies responsibly and successfully into the future. The Professional MBA programs of the Danube Business School are designed according to international standards and are aimed at managers in or on their way to management positions." – Description of the MBA program Leisure, Entertainment and Gaming Business Administration at Danube University Krems*
The Danube University Krems's program isn't intended for freshmen. Instead, it caters to individuals with a university degree or relevant professional experience. Recognizing that, the Master's degree course is structured as a part-time program with a focus on blended learning—that is, online learning supported by some hands-on activities.
The course is modular, with a variety of options tailored to individual and career needs. It can even be completed in just two semesters as a certified advanced training course.
Modules of the MBA Leisure, Entertainment and Gaming Business Management:
- Responsibility and gambling
- Business Ethics
- Gambling Technology
- Gambling Law
- Gaming, society & game theory basics
- Gamification, nudging & play from a psychological perspective
- Fundamentals of Management
- Fundamentals of Analytics & Economics
- Business Analytics & Research Methods (only for MBA)
- Controlling & Reporting
- Corporate Financial Management
- Marketing Management
- Managing Complexity & Project Management
- Knowledge Management & Innovation
- Business Simulation (Online)
- Managerial Economics & Global Business Environment
- Strategic Management & Competitive Analysis
- International Business
- Managing People
- Leadership
hint: this post has a lot of text, but it can be broken down into sections/categories to make it more readable
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German Politicians Hesitant to Support Training for Gambling Industry
It's evident that there's a pressing need for specialized staff in the German-speaking countries' gambling industry. But the key issue seems to be who'll foot the bill for this training. In fact, some politicians argue that it's not permissible to use taxpayers' funds for the first accredited gambling course. The Green Party, for instance, expressed their opposition to using public funds for this course: "Companies, such as Novomatic AG, should manage their employee's training without requiring taxpayers' money."
The gambling companies, on the other hand, are more receptive towards the Danube University Krems initiative. While they already provide internal training and seminars for their employees, organizing a public course presents another valuable opportunity. According to the Novomatic Group's official statement, this course is beneficial because it delves into gambling and the industry's subjects from a scientific standpoint.
What's intriguing about the contradicting opinions is that the administrator of Danube University Krems, who also happens to serve as a tutor, has a political background. Willibald Gföhler used to be a politician in the Green Party, holding a seat in the National Council for two years. Therefore, the prospects of politics and the gambling industry aligning in the fiscal dispute might not be so far-fetched.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
