The gambling market in Austria hasn’t changed in years, but some who work in the field warn that change could be coming soon.
Austria may be closer than ever to dismantling its long-standing gambling monopoly, opening the door to a fully competitive online gaming market. After decades of tightly controlled licensing, industry insiders and government signals now suggest that sweeping reforms are imminent — potentially reshaping the entire landscape of online casinos and gambling in the country.
Today, a single licence covers lotteries and online casino products in Austria — held by Win2Day, a subsidiary of Casinos Austria. Casinos Austria also controls all 12 land-based casino licences. The state holding company ÖBAG owns a 33% stake in Casinos Austria — underscoring the deep state involvement in the sector.
This system has persisted for years, setting Austria apart as one of the most restrictive markets in Europe when it comes to online gambling regulation.
The push for change has grown louder in recent months. With the monopoly licence scheduled to expire in 2027, the ministry responsible for gambling regulation is reportedly preparing to release new reform proposals “any day now.”
Political will seems increasingly aligned. The coalition government—comprising the centre-right ÖVP, liberal NEOS, and centre-left SPÖ — committed in their coalition agreement to a “further development” of the gambling monopoly. Industry groups interpret this language as a potential opening for liberalisation.
Leaders in the gambling industry, including the Austrian Betting and Gaming Association (OVWG), have expressed cautious optimism that the monopoly will be dismantled — possibly paving the way for a multi-licensing model.
If reforms go through, Austria could shift from a one-operator model to a multi-licence system — allowing several private operators to run online casinos and other gaming services.
Still, many questions remain. For example: how many licences will be awarded? Will there be a cap, or will licences be unlimited? Regulatory experts warn that imposing high costs or overly strict requirements could limit meaningful competition, effectively preserving a de facto monopoly.
Any shift toward liberalisation will likely bring a stronger emphasis on consumer protection. The current legal framework is minimal, with limited oversight from the Ministry of Finance.
Under the new plan, the government has pledged to introduce tougher measures against illegal gambling — such as IP-blocking and payment blocking — to curb black-market operators.
There is also speculation about the establishment of an independent gambling authority, which would relieve the Ministry of Finance of regulatory duties and help ensure transparency and impartial oversight.
The long-rumoured end of Austria’s iGaming monopoly may finally be within reach. As regulatory proposals draw near and political momentum builds, the coming months could mark a fundamental shift — transforming Austria from one of Europe’s most restrictive gambling markets into a competitive, modern iGaming landscape.
If reforms accelerate through 2025, Austria could become one of the most strategically valuable expansion markets for operators by 2026. Several factors make the country especially attractive:
For many global operators, 2026 may represent the “pre-launch window,” similar to how companies positioned themselves before market openings in Ontario and the Netherlands.
