Austria Moves Toward Online Casino Liberalisation

Austria is preparing to transition from its long-standing casino monopoly toward a competitive online gambling market, according to a leaked draft law from the Finance Ministry. The draft proposes allowing multiple providers to offer online casino gambling under a “strictly regulated licensing system” intended to channel players away from illegal operators and ensure “the highest possible standards of player protection.”

Currently, only one licence is available for lotteries and online gaming products, held by Win2Day, a subsidiary of Casinos Austria, which also operates all 12 land-based casino licences. Under the proposed reforms, lotteries would remain monopolised, but online casino licences would be open to an uncapped number of operators. Licences would initially run for five years, with the possibility of a 10-year extension.

The reform has been welcomed by the industry as a long-awaited step toward liberalisation, although experts note that the licensing conditions are stringent. Operators must settle outstanding Austrian court rulings, pay retroactive taxes, and maintain a minimum share capital of €10 million. Arthur Stadler, a Vienna-based gambling lawyer, described these requirements as “incredibly high sums” that could restrict participation to larger operators, effectively limiting the market despite the uncapped licence approach.

Proposed Player Protection Measures

The draft law introduces strict player protection measures, the iGaming Business reports. Weekly deposit limits would apply, capping deposits at €250 for players under 26 and €1,680 for older players unless they can demonstrate sufficient liquidity. Maximum stakes would be limited to €2 per spin or game, maximum winnings reduced to €2,000, and jackpots banned. Players would also face mandatory cooling-off periods, requiring a 15-minute break after 90 minutes of continuous play.

The draft extends protections familiar from land-based gambling to online platforms, ensuring speed-of-play rules and other safety measures are enforced digitally. Continuous monitoring of online gaming and a national self-exclusion scheme would also be implemented to uphold responsible gambling standards.

Some industry voices have expressed concern that these strict responsible gambling measures may undermine the channelisation goal, arguing that overly restrictive rules could discourage operators and prevent players from moving to licensed sites. Christian Rapani, an attorney with Rapani Rechtsanwälte, stated, “That observation is likely to carry weight with policymakers, for whom channelling is a stated primary objective.” The Austrian Association for Betting and Gambling (OVWG) is expected to provide input to potentially adjust deposit and stake limits.

Political Process and Timeline

The draft law still requires approval from Austria’s governing coalition: the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), and the liberal NEOS. A parliamentary vote is expected ahead of the summer recess in early July.

Win2Day’s current licence is valid until 2027, along with several land-based concessions, which may be extended if the licensing process faces legal or administrative delays. The establishment of an independent gambling authority may not occur until 2030, meaning the Finance Ministry would manage licensing in the interim. Simon Priglinger-Simader, president of the OVWG, noted that some “tricky points” remain but expressed cautious optimism, while OVWG Secretary General Thomas Forstner welcomed the development as a major step forward for regulated iGaming in Austria.

The draft law aims to balance market liberalisation with high standards of player protection, creating a controlled environment for multiple operators while maintaining regulatory oversight. The final framework will likely reflect input from industry participants, legal practitioners, and policymakers to ensure effectiveness rather than just strictness.