Austria has taken a major step towards ending one of Europe’s last online gambling monopolies, with the government reportedly targeting October 2027 as the launch date for a newly liberalised market.

The reform would bring an end to nearly six decades of monopoly control in Austrian gambling and open both the online and land-based casino sectors to competition for the first time.

The plans emerge after Austria’s three-party coalition government reportedly reached broad agreement on a new regulatory framework that would replace the long-standing dominance of Casinos Austria and its online subsidiary Win2Day.

End of a 60-year monopoly

Austria remains one of the few European countries where a single operator controls the online gambling market.

Since online gambling was legalised in 2010, Win2Day has held the country's only online gaming licence, while Casinos Austria has maintained its dominant position in the land-based casino sector.

Despite this monopoly structure, international operators have continued to target Austrian players through EU licences, contributing to an estimated channelisation rate of only around 50%.

The proposed reforms aim to bring more players into the regulated market while increasing tax revenues and strengthening player protection measures.

Cooling-off period could exclude existing operators

One of the most significant elements of the reform package is the introduction of a "cooling-off" period for operators that have previously targeted Austrian players without a local licence.

Under the proposal, operators that have been active in Austria during the previous 18 months would be prohibited from applying for a licence when the market opens in 2027. From 2030 onwards, this exclusion period would increase to 24 months.

Operators would also be required to settle any outstanding gambling taxes and player compensation claims before becoming eligible for licensing.

The approach mirrors similar market-opening strategies previously adopted in the Netherlands and Germany before their regulated online gambling markets launched in 2021.

Industry warns of channelisation risks

The proposed cooling-off period has already attracted criticism from parts of the industry.

The Austrian Betting and Gaming Association (OVWG) argues that forcing major operators to leave the market before licences are issued could undermine the government's channelisation objectives.

Association president Simon Priglinger-Simader warned that removing established operators from the market could create a temporary gap in legal supply, potentially benefiting offshore and unlicensed operators rather than regulated businesses.

However, the measures are likely to be welcomed by incumbent operator Casinos Austria, which has previously supported stricter entry requirements for grey-market competitors.

Strict player protection measures planned

The draft framework introduces a range of player protection measures that would make Austria one of Europe's more tightly regulated gambling markets.

Players would face a weekly deposit limit of €1,680, while those under the age of 26 would be restricted to just €250 per week.

Slot stake limits have become one of the most debated aspects of the reform. Earlier drafts proposed reducing maximum stakes from €10 to €2 per spin, drawing strong criticism from both operators and industry stakeholders.

Following negotiations, the latest proposal sets the maximum stake at €5 per spin.

Maximum player winnings would be capped at €10,000, while mandatory breaks and restrictions on game speed are also expected to form part of the final framework.

Land-based casino market also opening

The reform extends beyond online gambling.

Austria is expected to offer 13 land-based casino licences through a future tender process, ending Casinos Austria's exclusive control of the retail casino market.

According to reports, the licences could either be awarded individually or grouped into larger packages for operators seeking broader market access.

However, Win2Day is expected to retain exclusive control over the national lottery business, similar to arrangements being implemented in other European liberalisation models.

Austria and Finland become key targets for operators

Austria's liberalisation arrives at a time when another major European market is preparing for reform.

Finland is also set to end its gambling monopoly on 1 July 2027, opening its market to licensed commercial operators while allowing state-owned Veikkaus to retain its lottery monopoly.

The Finnish market has already attracted significant interest, with more than 50 licence applications reportedly submitted to regulators.

For international operators, Austria and Finland are likely to become two of the most closely watched licensing opportunities in Europe over the next two years.

A challenging market for newcomers

Although the opening of Austria's gambling market represents a major opportunity, operators entering the country will face significant challenges.

Win2Day has enjoyed a monopoly position for more than 15 years and benefits from strong brand recognition, an established customer base and long-standing relationships with Austrian players.

Combined with strict player protection rules, deposit limits and potential cooling-off restrictions, gaining meaningful market share may prove more difficult than in other recently liberalised European jurisdictions.

Nevertheless, the reform marks one of the most significant changes to Austria's gambling sector in decades and signals the beginning of a new era for one of Europe's last monopoly markets.

Sources: IGB, iGaming Expert