Austria will transition its online gaming sector from a monopoly to a multi-operator model in October 2027. The new legislative framework introduces an entry restriction for companies that previously ran unlicensed operations.
Entry Restrictions and Financial Caps
The legislation establishes a cooling-off window that blocks firms with illegal market activity during the preceding 18 months from obtaining initial licenses. This restriction extends to 24 months starting in 2030. Affected businesses must also clear outstanding tax liabilities and resolve historical player dispute rulings before gaining market access. The measure directly impacts grey market providers that currently operate under European Union licenses.The Austrian Betting and Gaming Association warned that the entry pause could disrupt player migration to the regulated sector. "The federal government wants to bring players into the regulated market," said association president Simon Priglinger-Simader. "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." Casinos Austria and Admiral, owned by Tipico, have publicly supported the temporary exclusion measure.
The governing coalition also adjusted financial and gameplay parameters. The maximum slot stake will be set at €5, while the top payout cap reaches €10,000. Weekly deposits will be limited to €1680, with additional restrictions for players under 26. Game mechanics will include mandatory session breaks and reduced play speeds.
The reform also modifies the land-based casino licensing structure, allowing a fixed number of operators to bid for venues. Thirteen physical locations will be included in the upcoming tender process. The draft legislation details were reported by the Krone newspaper.