Austria Gambling Reform Draft Moves into Official Consultation Phase
Legislative momentum is building in Austria as governing parties have agreed on a draft reform that would significantly reshape how both online and land-based gambling is regulated. The proposal is currently under consultation and parliamentary review, and it represents the most extensive revision of the national gambling framework in more than twenty years. A key feature of the plan is the transition away from the existing monopoly-based system toward a licensing model supervised by the state.
Planned end of Single-Operator Model in Online Gambling
The reform outlines a fundamental change to the structure of online gambling in Austria. Instead of a single operator model, multiple companies would be allowed to operate under licence, provided they meet regulatory requirements and remain under government oversight.
The draft is designed to address what regulators describe as a market increasingly shaped by unlicensed activity. At the same time, it maintains a framework of strict controls intended to regulate participation and enforce compliance standards.
Operators seeking entry into the market would need to satisfy a set of conditions, including anti-money laundering systems, player protection policies, and a minimum share capital requirement of €10 million. Only companies that meet these standards would be eligible to apply for a licence.
Political representatives involved in the negotiations have presented the shift as a balancing exercise between broader market access and regulatory stability. According to ÖVP finance spokesman Andreas Ottenschläger:
“With the new regulation of the Gambling Act, we are taking a step towards more competition, legal certainty and fair market conditions. The opening of the online market puts an end to outdated monopoly structures, creates new investment incentives and strengthens Austria as a business location. At the same time, we strengthen player protection through clear and up-to-date protection mechanisms and take consistent action against illegal providers. This will enable legal companies to operate, invest and create value in Austria under fair conditions in the future. In this way, we have succeeded in finding the right balance between effective player protection and a legally secure, functioning market.”
SPÖ finance spokesman Jan Krainer described the reform as a long-expected adjustment to existing rules and pointed to the effort to align competing priorities:
“The reform of the gambling law was overdue. It has been possible to reconcile many conflicting interests. The most important of these are that we are improving player protection and bringing order to an online market that has become increasingly grey and blacker in recent years.”
NEOS representative Christoph Pramhofer focused on the regulatory intent behind opening the market, particularly in relation to consumer protection:
“A gambling offer that takes place in the legal and regulated area is the best player protection. This is exactly why we are opening up the online market – in a controlled manner and with uniform rules for all providers. The previous state monopoly has led to players far too often switching to the grey or black market due to a lack of alternatives. With liberalisation, we are now creating a modern market with healthy competition and high and binding player protection standards. The fact that this long-standing demand is now being implemented is also of crucial importance for me as health spokesperson.”
Enforcement Tools, Financial Controls and Exclusion Systems
A major part of the draft focuses on enforcement mechanisms aimed at limiting access to unlicensed gambling services. The framework introduces financial restrictions and platform-level controls intended to disrupt illegal operations.
Banks and payment service providers would be required to block transactions connected to unauthorised operators. These measures also extend to cross-border payments, forming part of a broader financial enforcement approach.
Alongside payment controls, the legislation introduces a central exclusion register. This system would include both operator-imposed restrictions and voluntary self-exclusion entries, creating a unified record applicable across gambling products, excluding lotteries.
The draft also includes behavioural monitoring obligations for operators. Deposit limits would apply on a weekly and monthly basis, with variations depending on player age. Adjustments to these limits would be possible under defined conditions if risk indicators remain within acceptable thresholds.
Licensing Framework, Compliance Rules and Casino Limits
The licensing system sets out clear entry requirements for companies wishing to operate in the Austrian market. Applicants must be registered within the EU or EEA and demonstrate financial and organisational reliability. An initial licence fee of €300,000 is required.
Licences would initially be granted for up to five years, with the possibility of extension for up to ten years. Authorities would maintain ongoing oversight to ensure compliance throughout the licence period.
Companies that previously offered services without authorisation to Austrian users would be allowed to apply under the new framework, provided they resolve outstanding tax obligations and address relevant legal rulings in Austria. Operators that fail to exit the unlicensed market within specified deadlines could face temporary exclusion periods before re-entry.
The reform also includes changes to land-based gambling regulation. The total number of casino licences would be capped at 13, with allocation criteria based on regional distribution, tourism factors, and socio-economic considerations.
The draft remains open for public consultation until mid-July 2026. Following this period, it is expected to proceed through further stages of the legislative process.
Source:
Austria coalition advances sweeping overhaul of gambling law, casinonewsdaily.com, July 2, 2026