Austria Unveils Draft Online Gambling Reform for Public Consultation

Austria Moves Toward a Multi-Licensing Market

The draft legislation marks a major step in Austria's gambling reform, proposing the end of the country's long-standing online casino monopoly in favor of an unlimited multi-licensing regime. Under the new model, multiple operators would be able to obtain licenses, provided they meet stringent regulatory, financial, and compliance requirements.

The government emphasized that the reform is not intended to liberalize the market but rather to channel existing online gambling activity into a regulated environment while strengthening consumer protection and tackling illegal operators.

The proposal is open for public consultation until July 15, 2026, after which it will move forward in the parliamentary process.

Stronger Player Protection Measures

Player protection is at the core of the proposed framework. The draft introduces a range of responsible gambling measures, including:

• A centralized self-exclusion register shared across all licensed operators.
• Mandatory player monitoring and responsible gambling obligations.
• A unified supervisory system for online gambling.
• Age-based gambling restrictions.
• Enhanced reporting and regulatory oversight.

The proposal also introduces statutory deposit limits of €250 per week for players under 26 and €1,680 per month for players aged 26 and over. Players aged 23 and above could qualify for higher limits if operators determine there are no signs of gambling-related harm and additional safeguards are implemented.

Tougher Enforcement Against Illegal Operators

Alongside market liberalization, Austrian authorities would receive expanded powers to combat unlicensed gambling.

The draft legislation includes:

• Website blocking.
• Payment blocking targeting illegal operators.
• Public blacklists of unlicensed gambling companies.
• Stronger investigative and supervisory powers for regulators.

These measures are designed to ensure that the opening of the market is accompanied by robust enforcement against operators that remain outside the legal framework.

Licensing Requirements and Market Entry

The first online gambling licenses would be issued for up to five years, with renewals available for periods of up to 10 years.

To qualify, operators would be required to:

• Be incorporated as a joint-stock or limited liability company with a supervisory board.
• Be headquartered in Austria or another EU/EEA member state.
• Maintain at least €10 million in paid-up share capital.
• Demonstrate financial integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Pay a €300,000 licensing fee.

Grey Market Operators Face Strict Conditions

The proposal also establishes rules for operators that previously served Austrian customers without a local license.

Companies seeking to enter the regulated market would need to:

• Settle all outstanding Austrian gambling tax liabilities.
• Comply with all final Austrian court rulings obtained by players.
• Ensure Austrian civil judgments can be enforced in their home jurisdiction.

In addition, operators currently active without a license would have to cease serving Austrian customers by January 1, 2027 to avoid lengthy exclusion periods from the future licensing process. Those remaining in the market beyond that date could face a cooling-off period of up to 24 months before becoming eligible for a license.

A Landmark Reform for Austria's Gambling Industry

If approved largely in its current form, the legislation would represent the most significant overhaul of Austria's gambling regulation in decades. The reform would open the market to multiple licensed operators while introducing one of Europe's most comprehensive frameworks for player protection, regulatory oversight, and enforcement against illegal gambling.