Bill to liberalise Austrian gambling market reportedly ready for debate
A bill proposing multiple online gambling licences is expected to move to debate and a parliamentary vote.
Austria.- It’s been reported that the Finance Ministry has finished drafting proposed legislation intended to liberalise the Austrian online gambling market. The proposal, which had been expected by the end of last year, will be debated ahead of a parliamentary vote before the summer recess in July.
The igaming news site iGB says it has seen a leaked copy of legislative text that would end the monopoly of Austrian Lotteries’ Win2day over online casino in the country. The bill would reportedly allow multiple providers to receive licences to operate online gambling but with tight controls intended to ensure player protection, making the Austrian market comparable to neighbouring Germany.
Deposit limits would reportedly vary by age, with a maximum deposit of €250 per week for under 26s and €1,680 for older players once they have proven they can afford to spend that much. Stakes per spin or game would be capped at €2. Winnings would be capped at €2,000 and jackpots prohibited.
Meanwhile, cooling‑off rules would require operators to enforce a 15‑minute break after 90 minutes of continuous play. Technical protections currently in place for land‑based slot machines, including limits on the speed of play, would be extended to the online market. There are also plans to introduce a national self‑exclusion register.
Under the draft legislation, lotteries would remain a monopoly, but online casino licences would be available to an unlimited number of operators, initially for five years with the option of a ten‑year extension. The market would ultimately be overseen by a dedicated gambling regulator, with the Finance Ministry to continue oversight until it is established, a process that’s likely to take several years.
According to iGB, applicants for the licences would have to settle any outstanding Austrian court rulings and pay backdated taxes, which legal experts have warned could present a cost too high for smaller operators to consider. Several player loss lawsuits have been brought against operators that catered to Austrian players without a licence. Betathome quit the Austrian market in 2021 as a result.
Win2day is part of Casinos Austria, which has dominated gambling in the country for almost 60 years. Its online gambling licence is coming up for renewal in 2027. In turn, Casinos Austria is majority-owned by the Austrian state through its holding company ÖBAG, with significant stakes also held by the state-owned bank Österreichische Beteiligungs AG and the Czech gaming group Allwyn (Sazka, part of KKCG).
It currently has an exclusive 15‑year licence for lotteries and online gaming while also operating all 12 land‑based casino concessions in Austria.
