Austria is preparing a restructuring of its land-based casino market that would increase the number of concessions from 12 to 13 and allow them to be awarded in bundled packages, with the aim of preventing future operators from competing only for high-value locations such as Vienna or Bregenz while leaving less profitable destinations unattractive.
The proposal forms part of the reform of the Glücksspielgesetz (GSpG) being promoted by the Federal Ministry of Finance, which submitted the draft to the European Commission on August 4, 2026, triggering a three-month standstill period. The current framework allows up to 15 concessions, each with a maximum duration of 15 years.
Barbara Eibinger-Miedl
At present, Casinos Austria AG operates the 12 authorized casinos in Baden, Bregenz, Graz, Innsbruck, Kitzbühel, Kleinwalsertal, Linz, Salzburg, Seefeld, Velden, Vienna and Zell am See. The concessions expire in two blocks, on December 31, 2027 and December 31, 2030.
Erwin van Lambaart
The Ministry is now considering dividing future licenses into two bundles, balancing casinos with higher and lower commercial appeal. In the previous tender, an urban package grouped Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Graz, Innsbruck and Bregenz, while a rural package included Baden, Kitzbühel, Kleinwalsertal, Seefeld, Velden and Zell am See. The Austrian Court of Audit criticized that structure in 2016, arguing that the allocation had not been sufficiently justified.
The reform would also allow a 13th license, with Vienna or Burgenland among the locations under consideration. It is also being considered whether to reduce the minimum capital requirement for casino operators from €22 million to €10 million, although that change is not yet in force. As of September 2026, the Ministry of Finance is headed by Markus Marterbauer, alongside State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl. At Casinos Austria, Erwin van Lambaart serves as General Director, Andreas Bierwirth is Director and Chief Transformation Officer, and Robert Zadrazil has chaired the Supervisory Board since March 2026.
