The Austrian online casino industry might be moving away from its current single-operator licensing structure, according to the draft rules. Under the draft, online casino licenses would no longer have that restriction.
Currently, Österreichische Lotterien GmbH, or Austrian Lotteries, holds the single lotteries license. The license also covers electronic lotteries, including casino-style online games offered through win2day.at. Casinos Austria AG separately operates 12 land-based casinos in Austria.
Online Casino Could Move Beyond One License
The reform proposal would separate online casino from the wider monopoly on lotteries. Lotteries would retain their single-license regime, but permits for online casinos may be issued to an unlimited number of operators. The licenses would initially run for a period of five years, followed by 10 more years of extension, provided the operators adhere to the regulation.
A shift to multi-licensing would move Austria closer to the model used in many other European markets. Historically, keeping online casino under a narrow monopoly structure has been unique for this country, even as offshore operators have attracted Austrian customers.
Player Limits Sit at the Centre of the Draft
There are no hints about a loose market opening. The draft links new licenses to tight consumer protection measures.
Players under 26 would be limited to deposits that do not exceed €250 per week with an operator. Those who are older would have a weekly limit set at €1,680. Higher limits would require proof of sufficient liquidity.
In addition, restrictions would be placed on product design. Betting limits would be €2 per spin or game. Maximum winnings would drop to €2,000. Jackpots would also become prohibited.
Online players would have to take a break of 15 minutes after 90 minutes of playing continuously. Some of the land-based slot machine safeguards would be included in the proposed regulations, including those associated with the rate of play.
The creation of a national self-exclusion scheme would also be a requirement for the new regulations. This would help the future regulator monitor player risks.
Cost of Entry May Limit the Field
No license cap does not necessarily mean that all operators will join. Vienna-based lawyer Arthur Stadler told iGB that operators may need to settle outstanding Austrian court rulings and pay Austrian taxes, including for past activity, to qualify.
This aspect may prove to be one of the most restrictive in practice. Some international operators have faced player claims over losses linked to unlicensed Austrian activity.
This model may allow access to regulated markets for larger groups. Smaller ones may find the process too expensive because of backdated tax exposure, minimum capital requirements, and unresolved Austrian court rulings.
Timing also remains unclear. The current license linked to win2day runs until 30 September 2027, although the lottery license can be extended by up to one year. An independent gambling authority could be set up by 2030, leaving the Finance Ministry in charge during the initial licensing stage.
Bottom Line
Austria’s draft shows a cautious version of market opening. The government appears ready to move away from the online casino monopoly, but only under heavy limits on spend, stakes, and product mechanics. The final test will be whether the model can attract serious licensed operators without leaving too much activity outside the regulated channel.
