Lawmakers are considering a new licensing system that could end the current monopoly and allow multiple operators to enter the Austrian market. The reform comes as the country faces a growing illegal online gambling market served by international operators.
Draft Law Expected Within Weeks
The Austrian government is preparing draft legislation that will be reviewed by budget and finance officials before proceeding to the Council of Ministers for approval. Following domestic approval, the draft must be submitted to Brussels for European Union clearance.
Key details about the scope of the new licensing framework remain undecided. Austrian officials have not yet clarified whether they will issue a limited number of licences or fully open market access to qualified operators.
Online Gambling Monopoly Under Scrutiny
Austrian Lotteries currently holds the sole licence for online gambling operations in Austria. Despite this monopoly, numerous international gambling companies continue serving Austrian players through unlicensed channels.
Some of these operators hold gaming licences from other EU jurisdictions including Malta and Gibraltar, while others operate without any regulatory approval. The European Gaming and Betting Association called for gambling reforms in Austria in February 2025, highlighting the need for modernized regulation.
Land-Based Casino Licences Also Expiring
The reform encompasses licences for six land-based casinos alongside lottery and online gambling permissions. All current licences are set to expire in 2027, creating urgency for the legislative process.
If approved through all regulatory stages, the new law could take effect as early as summer 2026. This timeline would provide operators with approximately one year to prepare applications and establish compliant operations before the 2027 expiration.
The Austrian gambling market has operated under restrictive licensing conditions for years, with political disagreements contributing to reform delays. The current legislative push represents the most concrete progress toward market restructuring in recent years.
Source: AffPapa
