Austria Moves Closer To Online Casino Liberalisation With Leaked Law Draft

Austria’s Finance Ministry has finalised a draft gambling law to end the country’s online casino monopoly and open the market to multiple licensed operators. According to a leaked draft obtained by iGB, “several providers will be able to offer online gambling in Austria in future” under a “strictly regulated licensing system”.

The ministry believes the move would help channel players away from illegal operators while creating “the highest possible standards of player protection”. Austria currently operates a monopoly model for online casino products and lotteries.

The sole licence is held by Win2day, a brand owned by Austrian Lotteries, which is itself part of the Casinos Austria group. Under the proposed reforms, lotteries would remain a monopoly, while online casino licences become available to multiple operators. Initial licences would run for five years, with the possibility of a further ten-year extension.

High entry requirements could limit market participation

While the draft creates a pathway for international operators to enter Austria, the licensing conditions could prove challenging for many companies. According to gambling law expert, Arthur Stadler, made comments about this latest law.

“Operators may only qualify for a licence by settling outstanding Austrian court rulings and paying Austrian taxes – including for the past,” he said. The draft would also require operators to maintain a minimum share capital of €10m.

In addition, companies would need to resolve player claim rulings and ensure there are no taxation gaps linked to previous operations within Austria.

Stadler believes these requirements could effectively limit the number of applicants despite the absence of a formal cap on licences. However, he described the proposed end of the monopoly as a positive development for the market.

Draft introduces tighter player protection rules

The proposed framework includes some of Europe’s strictest responsible gambling measures. Players under the age of 26 face a weekly deposit limit of €250, while older players would be restricted to €1,680 per week.

Maximum stakes would be reduced to €2 per spin or game, while maximum winnings are capped at €2,000. However, the new law might prohibit jackpots entirely. It also introduces mandatory cooling-off periods requiring players to take a 15-minute break after every 90 minutes of continuous play.

The country is set to extend land-based protections to online gambling products. “This ensures that online gambling is subject to the same high standards of player protection as land-based slot machine gambling,” the draft states.

A national self-exclusion scheme and player monitoring system will also be introduced under the regulator’s supervision.

Licensing Rollout Could Take Several Years

Although the reforms represent a shift in Austria’s gambling policy, implementation may take several years. Win2day’s current licence expires in 2027 plus several land-based casino concessions held by Casinos Austria.

However, the draft allows for extensions if the licensing process encounters delays or legal challenges. The creation of an independent gambling authority may not happen until 2030, meaning the Finance Ministry would oversee licence awards in the meantime.

The legislation must still pass negotiations between Austria’s governing coalition, including the Social Democratic Party, NEOS and the Austrian People’s Party. Lawmakers are expected to seek approval before parliament enters its summer recess in July. Despite unresolved issues, industry stakeholders are more optimistic.

Simon Priglinger-Simader, president of the ÖVWG trade association, said he is “feeling more hopeful than ever”, although he acknowledged that several “tricky points” must be resolved before the reforms become law.

Austria is closer to opening its online casino market after years of operating under a monopoly. These latest reforms create new opportunities for international operators to expand the market. However, the country has prioritised player protection and tax compliance in its licensing requirements.

Further updates on regulatory developments will be available in the Regulation Section.