Jun 10, 2026 | 8:26 am
Austria has taken a key procedural step in its planned overhaul of gambling regulation after submitting its proposed gambling reform legislation to the European Commission for review.
The Austrian Ministry of Finance announced on 4 August 2026 that it had formally notified the European Commission of the draft law, a requirement for national measures affecting online services within the European Union. The move initiates a mandatory three-month standstill period during which the legislation cannot be formally adopted.
Although the waiting period temporarily prevents the law from being enacted, Austrian authorities said parliamentary work on the proposal can continue while the European review process is underway.
The reform package represents one of the most significant changes to Austria’s gambling framework in recent years. According to the Ministry of Finance, the legislation focuses on reshaping the regulation of online gambling while introducing a series of updated player protection measures.
Online Gambling Market Set for Structural Change
At the center of the proposed legislation is a shift away from Austria’s existing monopoly system in online casino sector.
The draft law, which first emerged in May 2026, outlines plans to introduce an open licensing framework that would allow multiple operators to obtain authorization to provide online gambling services in the country.
Under the proposal, companies seeking a licence would need to satisfy a range of regulatory requirements before entering the market. Authorities also intend to impose restrictions on operators that have previously offered services illegally.
The ministry stated that providers currently operating without authorization must cease those activities by 1 January 2027 if they wish to qualify immediately for a licence. Operators that fail to meet that deadline would face an 18-month delay before becoming eligible for licensing. Beginning in 2030, that waiting period would increase to 24 months.
The proposal also addresses financial obligations linked to past operations. Companies seeking licences would need to settle any outstanding gambling tax liabilities and unpaid player protection claims.
According to the ministry, this requirement is intended to provide redress for around 20,000 Austrian players who have unresolved claims connected to gambling activities.
Authorities also plan to strengthen enforcement tools aimed at limiting access to unlicensed operators. The draft legislation includes measures such as payment blocking, blacklisting, and network blocking. Officials said these mechanisms are designed to encourage consumers to use regulated services instead of illegal gambling platforms.
In addition, the reform would establish a digital regulatory system for online gambling that includes a central deposit limit managed independently of operators.
New Safeguards Focus on Player Protection
The Ministry of Finance has presented player protection as a major component of the proposed reform package.
One of the most notable measures is the creation of a centralized exclusion register covering multiple gambling sectors. The register would record both self-exclusions and operator-imposed exclusions, creating a unified system that applies across casinos, slot machines, and online gambling products.
The proposed legislation would also introduce deposit limits for online gambling and slot machine play. Younger adults would face stricter restrictions, with reduced limits applying to individuals between the ages of 18 and 26.
Officials said the lower thresholds are intended to provide additional safeguards for younger players.
The draft law also seeks to expand research into gambling-related harm. A new legal requirement would mandate gambling addiction potential analyses, which the ministry said would support evidence-based research into gambling behavior and risks.
Additional changes are planned for slot machine gaming. The proposal would reduce both maximum stakes and game speed. Players would also be required to observe a cooling-off period after 90 minutes of continuous play.
The ministry argues that these measures will help reduce excessive gambling activity and strengthen protections for consumers.
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Proposed Rules Also Address Casino Licensing
Alongside online gambling reforms, the legislation introduces changes to Austria’s land-based casino licensing system.
The draft amendment would set a maximum of 13 casino licences nationwide. Authorities would also have the option to award licences in bundled packages rather than through individual allocations.
Where licences are awarded as part of a package, the ministry said regulators should consider the impact on competition between casino operators. According to the proposal, reducing competitive pressure between casinos could support player protection objectives while also promoting a balanced distribution of licences.
The submission to the European Commission marks the latest stage in Austria’s legislative process. Once the three-month standstill period concludes, lawmakers will be able to move forward with final approval of the reform package.
If enacted, the legislation would introduce a new licensing structure for online gambling, strengthen enforcement against unauthorized operators, expand player protection measures, and establish revised rules for casino licensing across the Austrian market.
Source:
“Austria notifies gambling law reform to European Commission“, europeangaming.eu, August 4, 2026.