Key Moments:
- The Austrian Ministry of Finance projects 20 companies will apply for the first-ever online gambling licenses.
- Licensed online gambling’s market share will likely grow from 45% at launch to 75% by 2030.
- New legal and operational rules, including deposit limits and exclusion tools, will roll out on January 1, 2027.
Regulatory Reform on the Horizon
Austria’s Ministry of Finance has outlined significant changes for the local online gambling market. Ultimately, these updates signal a more open and regulated landscape ahead. In recent impact assessments linked to the reform bill, officials state that 20 operators expect to seek licenses under the new regime.
Meanwhile, the legislative process moves forward. Parliament introduced Bill 594 d.B. on August 5, 2026. Shortly after, the Nationalrat referred the measure to the Finance Committee on September 14. However, committee discussions have not yet begun as of October 20. Furthermore, Austria notified the European Commission on August 4. This notice triggered a mandatory three-month standstill period through early November. As a result, lawmakers cannot adopt the law until that window closes. Nevertheless, parliamentary preparations continue in parallel.
Market Share and Fiscal Projections
The Ministry used its impact assessment to project future license fees and public revenue. Officials presume that licensed entities will hold 45% of the market when it opens. Consequently, they target a 75% market share by 2030. Financial projections show how this transition will steadily increase public revenue over time.
| Year | Assumed Channelisation | Projected Net Public Revenue Gain |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 (from October) | 45% | €20.4 million |
| 2028 | 60% | €120.5 million |
| 2029 | 70% | €155.5 million |
| 2030 | 75% | €170.6 million |
(Source: Austrian Ministry of Finance, impact assessment to bill 594 d.B.)
In the medium term, officials aim to achieve at least 80% market channelization. Currently, Austria levies a tax on unlicensed online operators that yields roughly €40 million annually. However, the Ministry expects to eliminate this tax by 2030. By then, operators will either leave the market or secure an official license.
Application Process and Entry Standards
Regulators will place no cap on total online gambling licenses. In contrast, they will limit land-based casino licenses to 13. Authorities can award online licenses starting January 1, 2027, with official operations taking effect on October 1, 2027. The initial license term lasts up to five years, while subsequent renewals can extend to ten years.
Additionally, applicants must reside within the EU or EEA. Qualifying companies must maintain an active supervisory board and hold at least €10 million in paid-up capital. Furthermore, applicants must pay a €70,000 application fee and an additional €300,000 upon receiving a license.
The bill also outlines clear rules for previously unlicensed operators. Companies that stop unlicensed activity by January 1, 2027, face no waiting period before applying. Conversely, delayed exits trigger strict penalty periods. Firms face an 18-month ban if they exit after the deadline. Furthermore, they face a 24-month ban if they wait until after December 31, 2029. To enter the market, operators must also pay all back taxes and fulfill outstanding civil court rulings. Overall, these rules apply to all corporate groups and brands connected to unlicensed Austrian sites.
Deposit Limits and Player Protection Measures
The new regulatory regime introduces strict deposit restrictions. Specifically, players under 26 face a weekly deposit cap of €250. Older players face a monthly cap of €1,680. However, licensees may propose alternative limits for players aged 23 and older if they complete full risk assessments and perform extra monitoring. In addition, any request to raise a self-imposed limit requires a 72-hour cooling-off period.
Authorities will launch several key enforcement tools on January 1, 2027. These include an exclusion register, a deposit register, access-blocking systems, and a public blacklist. Meanwhile, the finance minister will determine when operators must join the new registers.
Finally, the minister must deliver a comprehensive report to parliament by the end of 2031. This report will evaluate how well cross-operator deposit limits protect players and improve channelization.
- Author
Daniel Williams
