Austria's coalition pushes major gambling law overhaul

Austria’s governing coalition – the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS – has reached an agreement on what it calls the biggest reform of the country’s gambling legislation in 26 years. The draft law, now in parliamentary review, will replace the existing online‑monopoly with an open concession system. Providers that meet strict criteria – including a minimum capital of €10 million, robust anti‑money‑laundering controls and compliance structures – can obtain a licence to operate online gambling services.

The reform introduces a range of player‑protection measures: a central ban register covering all operators, mandatory deposit limits (e.g., €250 per week for 18‑ to 26‑year‑olds), compulsory self‑exclusion options, and a required 90‑minute cooling period with risk‑awareness videos for casino machines and online slots. Slot bet limits will be halved to €5, while the previous jackpot ban is lifted to allow a legal jackpot offering. Payment‑blocking mechanisms and “black‑lists” will force payment service providers to refuse transactions to illegal operators, and internet‑filtering will block their sites. The law also provides compensation for more than 20,000 players with outstanding claims and sets the number of nationwide casino licences at 13. The coalition presents the changes as a way to curb the illegal market, protect consumers and modernise Austria’s gambling sector.