Austria set to end monopoly and privatise wagering operators
Austria is moving closer to ending its long-standing online gambling monopoly after coalition parties reportedly agreed to introduce multiple licences under a new gambling law currently being negotiated.
According to Austrian newspaper Die Presse, representatives of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) and NEOS have agreed that the country’s next gambling framework will allow multiple online operators to enter the market, replacing the current system under which only Österreichische Lotterien’s Win2Day platform is licensed to offer online casino games.
The reform is intended to increase channelisation by encouraging players to use regulated gambling sites rather than offshore online casinos. Negotiators believe a larger regulated market would improve consumer protection and make enforcement measures such as IP and payment blocking more effective.
While the coalition has reached broad agreement on opening the market, key details remain unresolved, including whether the number of licences will be capped and what eligibility requirements operators must meet.
The government is also continuing discussions on casino concession numbers, player protection measures and licensing fees.
The reform is expected to replace the current online gambling monopoly when the existing licence expires at the end of 2027. Before any legislation can take effect it must undergo a three-month European Union notification process.
Although the government’s original timetable has slipped, Austrian lawmakers are still targeting parliamentary approval before the summer recess.
If approved, the legislation would mark one of the most significant changes to Austria’s gambling market in decades and bring the country closer to licensing models already used in several other European jurisdictions.
