Austria moved closer to one of the biggest regulatory changes in its gambling industry after a leaked draft proposal from the Federal Ministry of Finance revealed plans to end the country’s historic online casino monopoly and open the market to private operators through a multi-licensing system. The initiative would reshape one of the last closed online gaming markets in Western Europe ahead of the current license expiry in 2027.
The existing system is regulated under the Glücksspielgesetz (GSpG) Austrian Gambling Act, which concentrates online gambling operations under a single license controlled by Österreichische Lotterien GmbH, linked to Casinos Austria AG, through the win2day platform. The current exclusive license expires on 30 September 2027, intensifying political and industry pressure over the future structure of the market.
According to the leaked proposal attributed to the Bundesministerium für Finanzen (BMF), Austria could replace the monopoly model with a competitive licensing framework allowing multiple operators to apply for online casino and digital gaming licenses. State lotteries would remain under monopoly control, but iGaming would transition toward a regulated open-market structure closer to the German model.
The initiative is being discussed within the Ministry of Finance in Vienna, where Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer has emerged as one of the central figures in the reform debate. Austria currently does not have an independent gambling authority, with supervision remaining directly under the BMF. However, the proposal also contemplates the future creation of an independent gaming regulator overseeing online gaming, casinos and enforcement.
The reform package includes aggressive anti-illegal gambling measures such as payment blocking, domain blocking, advertising restrictions, undercover regulatory “test plays” and stronger financial penalties against unlicensed operators. The framework would also introduce stricter responsible gambling measures, age-related loss limits and tighter AML/KYC controls.
At the same time, Austria has already increased fiscal pressure on the sector. Since 1 April 2025, the country raised its sports betting tax from 2% to 5% under the Gebührengesetz 1957, with the government expecting to generate approximately €50 million in additional annual revenue.
The regulatory debate also arrives amid growing criticism from European industry groups such as EGBA, which argue that Austria’s monopoly system has strengthened the grey market and pushed players toward offshore operators licensed in Malta and Gibraltar. If the proposal advances, Austria could become the next major liberalized iGaming market in Europe.
