TLDR
- Austria is reforming its online gambling market, replacing the current monopoly held by Austrian Lotteries, whose licence expires in 2027.
- Coalition negotiators are divided over whether unlicensed “grey market” operators should face a cooling-off period before entering the new regulated market.
- Casinos Austria and Admiral (Novomatic) support the cooling-off period; industry groups warn it could push players to fully unlicensed offshore sites.
- A controversial proposal would cut the maximum online casino stake from €10 to €2 per game, with winnings capped at €2,000.
- The government aims to pass the legislation before parliament’s summer break in July 2026.
Austria is in the final stretch of overhauling its online gambling laws. The country has run one of Europe’s last monopoly-controlled online gambling sectors, but that is about to change.
The current online gambling licence is held by Austrian Lotteries. It expires in 2027. Plans to open the market to competition have been in motion since the Finance Ministry released a draft proposal earlier this year.
Coalition negotiators are now working through the final details. Most of the major issues have been resolved, but a few sticking points remain.
The Grey Market Debate
The biggest dispute is over what to do with operators that have been serving Austrian customers without a local licence — the so-called grey market.
One proposal would bar these companies from entering the new regulated market for a set period after it opens. The idea is that operators who ignored Austrian rules should not walk straight into a licence once the market opens up.
Casinos Austria has backed this position. Its Austrian Lotteries subsidiary currently holds the sole online licence. The company has argued that allowing grey-market firms to enter immediately would damage the credibility of the new system. It has suggested a transition period of several years.
Admiral, the casino operator owned by Novomatic, has taken a similar view. It has argued that operators who followed the rules should not be treated the same as those who did not.
But industry groups disagree. The Austrian Betting and Gaming Association has warned that blocking major grey-market operators could backfire. If those companies are forced out temporarily, their customers may not wait. Instead, players could move to fully unlicensed offshore sites with no intention of ever applying for an Austrian licence.
That would reduce both regulatory oversight and tax revenue — the opposite of what the reform is meant to achieve.
Lawyers handling player compensation claims have also raised concerns. Companies applying for licences would reportedly need to settle outstanding claims and past tax obligations. A longer exclusion period could reduce the incentive to resolve those liabilities quickly.
Stake Limits and Licence Fees
Another unresolved issue is a proposal to lower the maximum online casino stake from €10 to €2 per game, with a €2,000 cap on winnings.
Social Democratic negotiators support the measure as a consumer protection step. The gambling industry is largely opposed, arguing that tighter limits make licensed products less appealing and could drive players to offshore alternatives.
The structure of Austria’s land-based casino market is also still being worked out. Earlier drafts mentioned up to 12 concessions. The People’s Party and NEOS are reportedly pushing for more.
The lottery sector is expected to stay under a monopoly model. A licence fee of around €20 million is on the table, though NEOS wants that figure raised.
The government is targeting a final legislative package before parliament breaks for summer in July. If that deadline is met, an EU notification process could begin over the summer, with the law taking effect in autumn 2026.
