Austria online gambling reform faces regulatory delays

Austria’s proposed reform to end its online gambling monopoly is facing delays following a formal objection from Malta. The intervention has extended the European Union’s regulatory review period from November 5 to December 7, 2026.

The draft Gambling Act, submitted to the European Commission in August, aims to replace the current exclusive license held by Win2Day with an open concession process for multiple operators. Under the proposed framework, the new regulatory system is intended to take effect on January 1, 2027, with concessions becoming effective on October 1, 2027.

Allwyn AG, a shareholder in Austrian gambling monopolies, has urged the European Commission to evaluate the feasibility of the implementation timeline. The company described the nine-month window to deploy necessary oversight systems, such as exclusion registers and payment blocking tools, as “extremely tight.” The Austrian Finance Ministry anticipates approximately 20 companies may seek licenses once the legislative standstill concludes.