Austria has submitted its gambling reform bill to the European Commission, advancing a plan to replace the country’s current single-concession structure with a system offering an unlimited number of licences, stronger player safeguards and new powers to block illegal operators and payments.
The proposal, identified as ministerial draft 125/ME and informally known as the Gambling Reform Act 2026, was prepared by the Federal Ministry of Finance, led by Markus Marterbauer, with Barbara Eibinger-Miedl serving as State Secretary. It amends the Federal Gambling Act, GSpG, and the Telecommunications Act 2021.
- Austria considers historic gaming market liberalization
Barbara Eibinger-Miedl
The draft was dated June 26, 2026, submitted to the National Council on June 29, opened for consultation until July 15, and sent to Brussels in August under EU Directive 2015/1535. The European review does not constitute final approval. The bill must subsequently pass through the Council of Ministers, National Council and Federal Council before presidential authentication and publication.
Initial licences could run for up to five years, with renewals lasting up to 10 years. Applicants would need at least €10 million in paid-up share capital. The application fee would be €70,000, the first licence would cost €300,000, and each renewal would carry a €600,000 fee.
Operators previously active without Austrian authorisation could apply if they pay outstanding gambling taxes, comply with final court judgments, disclose beneficial owners and withdraw from the illegal market. Unauthorised operations would have to cease before January 1, 2027.
The bill would impose deposit caps of €250 per week for players under 26 and €1,680 per month from age 26, alongside a 72-hour cooling-off period before limits can be increased. It would also establish a central self-exclusion register.
For gaming machines, the proposal sets a maximum €5 stake, prizes of up to €10,000, mandatory RTP between 85% and 95%, a compulsory break after 90 minutes and a ceiling of 50 machines per venue. Supervision would initially fall to Finanzamt Österreich, with fines of up to €1 million and coercive penalties of €30,000 per day. Austria’s exclusive concession remains in force until September 30, 2027 while the reform completes its national and European stages.
