Austria Nears Decision on Gambling Reform

Austria is entering the final stage of negotiations on a major overhaul of its gambling framework, with policymakers still divided over whether operators that previously offered services without a local licence should face restrictions before entering the newly regulated online market.

Representatives from the governing coalition—the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and NEOS—are working to finalize details of legislation that would replace the country’s long-standing online gambling monopoly after the current licence expires in 2027.

A draft from the Ministry of Finance, which emerged in May, outlined plans for a multi-licence model. While broad agreement appears to exist on opening the market, several issues remain unresolved as lawmakers seek to complete the legislation before parliament’s summer recess.

Cooling-Off Proposal Divides Stakeholders

One of the main points of contention is a proposed cooling-off period for operators that previously offered gambling services in Austria without a local licence.

Reports indicate the SPÖ-led Finance Ministry supports restrictions that would delay market access for companies found to have violated Austrian gambling laws during the previous five years. According to public affairs consultant Felix Geyer, any ban could last between 24 and 36 months.

“The black market will not care,” he said. “They won’t be applying for licences.”

Casinos Austria has publicly backed a transition period.

“One day you’re operating illegally, and the next day you’re granted a licence – that’s absurd,” said spokesperson Patrick Minar. “An initial cooling-off phase of three to five years would be conceivable.”

Admiral Casinos & Entertainment shares that position. CEO Monika Racek said: “These operators must not be discriminated against by the legislator treating them in the same way as everyone else.”

Industry Warns Against Delays

The Austrian Betting and Gaming Association (OWVG) argues that postponing licences for former grey-market operators would undermine the goals of the reform.

“A cooling-off period would be the reform killer,” said OWVG president Simon Priglinger-Simader. “The federal government wants to bring players into the regulated market, strengthen player protection and secure tax revenues.”

“With cooling off, the opposite happens: tax-paying operators must leave, the black-market jumps in, existing revenues collapse and already budgeted additional revenues fail to materialise.”

Industry representatives also note that applicants would still have to settle outstanding taxes and player claims before receiving a licence.

Other Regulatory Questions Remain

Negotiators continue to debate a proposal to reduce the maximum online slot stake from €10 to €2 while keeping maximum winnings at €2,000 per game.

The number of land-based casino licences remains under discussion as well. The draft legislation refers to up to 12 concessions, while the ÖVP and NEOS reportedly favour increasing that number to 15.

Lawmakers aim to complete the bill before parliament’s summer recess. If approved on schedule, the required EU notification process could begin during the summer, allowing the new framework to take effect in autumn and launching the licensing process ahead of the monopoly’s expiry in 2027.

Source:

“Austria weighs cooling-off period for grey-market operators”, igamingbusiness.com, Jun 16, 2026