Austria Eyes Competitive Online Casino Market Reform

Austria could be heading toward one of the biggest changes to its gambling sector in years after government officials outlined plans to replace the country's online casino monopoly with a licensing framework open to multiple operators.

Details emerged through a leaked draft law prepared by the Finance Ministry, which proposes ending the current single-licence structure and introducing a regulated market where several companies would be able to apply for online casino licences.

According to the draft, “several providers will be able to offer online gambling in Austria in future” under a “strictly regulated licensing system”.

The proposal aims to reshape the Austrian market that is currently dominated by a single operator while introducing additional player protection measures and tighter controls on gambling activity.

Monopoly Model Could Give Way to New Licensing System

Austria's current online casino framework is based on a single licence issued for a 15-year period. That licence belongs to Win2day, which operates under Austrian Lotteries and Casinos Austria. The same group also controls all 12 land-based casino licences in the country.

Under the proposed reforms, lotteries would remain under the existing monopoly structure. Online casino licences, however, would become available to multiple operators, with no cap on the number of licences issued.

The initial licence term would last five years, with operators able to apply for an additional 10-year extension.

Companies interested in entering the market would face significant financial and regulatory requirements.

“Operators may only qualify for a licence by settling outstanding Austrian court rulings and paying Austrian taxes – including for the past,” said Arthur Stadler, a Vienna-based lawyer specialising in gambling law.

The proposal also requires applicants to maintain a minimum share capital of €10 million. In addition, operators would need to resolve any outstanding player claims and tax obligations linked to previous activities in Austria.

Stadler noted that these requirements could create substantial financial barriers for some businesses. He described the obligations as involving “incredibly high sums”, although he still welcomed the move away from the monopoly system.

New Rules Would Tighten Player Protection Measures

While the draft opens the market to more operators, it also introduces stricter controls aimed at player protection.

One of the most significant proposals involves new deposit limits. Players under the age of 26 would be restricted to weekly deposits of €250 per operator. Customers aged 26 and older would face a weekly limit of €1,680 unless they could demonstrate what the draft describes as “sufficient liquidity”.

The reforms would also reduce the maximum permitted stake to €2 per game or spinand cap winnings at €2,000. Operators would no longer be permitted to offer jackpots under the proposed framework.

Another measure would require mandatory breaks during gambling sessions. Players would need to stop gambling for 15 minutes after 90 consecutive minutes of play.

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

Political Discussions Continue

The latest proposal follows gambling reform discussions that began earlier this year. Austria's Social Democratic Party first introduced plans for changes in January, although previous proposals reportedly faced opposition from coalition partners and were subsequently revised.

A final outcome is not yet guaranteed.

Win2day's online casino licence is scheduled to expire in 2027, alongside several land-based casino concessions currently held by Casinos Austria. The draft indicates that existing licences could remain in place if legal challenges delay implementation of the new system.

Coalition negotiations involving the SPÖ, NEOS, and ÖVP parties remain ongoing ahead of a parliamentary vote expected before the July recess.

Despite the remaining uncertainty, some industry representatives are optimistic that the reforms are moving in the right direction.

Simon Priglinger-Simader, president of the ÖVWG trade association, said he is “feeling more hopeful than ever”. He also noted that some “tricky points” still need to be resolved as discussions continue.

Source:

Austria Moves Toward Wider Online Casino Market, LCB.org, May 29, 2026.