Austria begins path towards liberalised online gambling market
Austria has officially launched a review of its gambling legislation, taking the first regulatory steps towards opening its online gambling market to multiple operators.
The process follows the publication of a draft bill by the Federal Ministry of Finance that would end the long-standing monopoly held by Casinos Austria over online casino gaming and sports betting. The proposal has received backing from Austria’s coalition government, including the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and NEOS.
If approved, the reforms would introduce a multi-licence framework by 2029, allowing EU-licensed operators to enter the Austrian market and bringing the country in line with the broader European regulatory landscape.
The proposal comes after years of legal disputes surrounding Austria’s monopoly model and growing pressure to align national gambling legislation with European Union principles. Austria is currently the last EU member state to maintain monopoly rights for online gambling.
While the government intends to open the market, regulators are also considering a range of stricter player protection measures. These include reducing the maximum online slot stake from €10 to €2 per spin, lowering maximum winnings from €10,000 to €2,000 and introducing enhanced affordability checks, identity verification requirements and centralised monitoring systems.
The future tax structure remains undecided and is expected to become one of the most debated elements of the reform process. Some lawmakers have advocated for a high-tax model to preserve existing government revenues, while critics warn that excessive restrictions could undermine the competitiveness of the regulated market.
Casinos Austria has responded cautiously to the plans, urging policymakers to prevent operators that previously targeted Austrian consumers without local licences from immediately entering the market. The company has also stressed the importance of maintaining strong channelisation rates to ensure players remain within the regulated sector.
The reform debate extends beyond online gambling. Representatives of Austria’s land-based casino sector have called on lawmakers to protect an industry that continues to generate significant employment, tourism and tax revenues.
Negotiations on licensing conditions, taxation, stake limits and regulatory oversight are expected to continue over the coming years as Austria works towards a potential market launch in 2029.
