The Austrian government has approved a comprehensive reform of the national gambling framework, ending the state monopoly held by Casinos Austria. The updated legislation introduces an open licensing regime for online gambling providers, with unlicensed operators required to cease activities by 1 January 2027.
Private companies may apply for operating licenses under the new rules provided they maintain a minimum capital of €10 million. Applicants must also implement verified anti-money laundering procedures and established player safety protocols. The licensing window will remain open until the transition period concludes.
Market Regulation and Player Safeguards
Authorities plan to restrict unauthorized platforms through coordinated financial and technical measures. Banks will be required to block transactions directed at non-compliant operators, while payment networks including Visa and PayPal must terminate their services for these companies. Cloud providers and search engines will also assist in blocking access to unlicensed websites.
The legislation introduces mandatory deposit caps, setting a weekly limit of €250 for players aged 18 to 26 and a monthly cap of €1,680 for those over 26. Session breaks will be enforced after 90 minutes of continuous play, slot spin intervals will increase to two seconds, and the maximum stake per spin will drop to €5. A central self-exclusion registry will also be established.
To improve the competitiveness of licensed platforms, the existing prohibition on jackpot prizes will be removed.
The draft legislation has been published for public review. This update represents the most significant change to Austrian gambling regulations in 26 years.