The Ministry of Finance in Austria has officially presented its gambling reform proposal to the European Commission, initiating a mandatory three-month review phase before the legislation can be enacted.
If the proposed timeline is adhered to, Austria’s revamped gambling market is anticipated to launch in October 2027. The new legislation aims to allow a maximum of 13 casino licenses, which may be distributed in packages.
Licensing authorities will be tasked with ensuring a fair geographical distribution of licenses and preventing excessive competition among casinos, with these measures designed to enhance player protection.
Currently, Casinos Austria holds a monopoly on casino operations and has advocated for the retention of the package-based licensing system. However, smaller operators contend that granting individual licenses would be a more equitable method for market entry.
It is widely expected that the government will divide the licenses into substantial packages, potentially creating two groups of six and seven licenses. This strategy could facilitate the entry of a larger operator into the market while restricting opportunities for smaller firms.
The reform will also pave the way for open licensing for online gambling operators, including transitional provisions for companies currently operating without authorization. These operators must cease their services in the Austrian market by January 1, 2027, to qualify for a license immediately.
Those who do not comply with the deadline will face an 18-month waiting period before they can apply, which will extend to 24 months starting in 2030. Applicants will also need to resolve outstanding tax obligations and claims involving around 20,000 affected players, addressing liabilities due to previous enforcement oversights.
A new digital supervisory platform will be established to oversee the regulated sector, featuring a central deposit limit that functions independently from individual gambling companies. The proposed enforcement measures will include payment blocking, blacklisting, and network blocking to prevent illegal operators from servicing Austrian customers and to direct gambling activities toward licensed providers.
The Austrian Betting and Gaming Association (OVWG) has expressed doubts regarding the effectiveness of the transitional measures in redirecting players to Win2Day or licensed land-based operators, suggesting that the black market may ultimately gain the most from these changes.
Player protection measures will include the establishment of a national exclusion register that encompasses casino gambling, slot machines, and online platforms. This system will integrate voluntary self-exclusions with operator-imposed bans, ensuring that excluded players cannot switch between gambling products or companies to bypass restrictions.
Mandatory deposit limits will be enforced for online gambling and slot machines, with stricter limits for adults aged 18 to 26, aimed at providing additional protection for younger players who are deemed more susceptible to gambling-related issues.
The legislation will also lower maximum stakes on slot machines and mandate slower game speeds. Players will be required to take a mandatory break after 90 consecutive minutes of play as part of initiatives aimed at curbing excessive gambling.
Gambling operators will be legally obligated to evaluate the addiction potential of their offerings. These assessments will contribute to research and the development of public policies focused on reducing gambling-related harm.
On Tuesday, Austria’s Ministry of Finance submitted the draft legislation to the European Commission, marking the start of a compulsory three-month review period before the law can be implemented. During this review, the Commission may raise concerns related to state aid or European single market regulations, while Austria’s parliamentary process may proceed concurrently.