Austrian online gambling law reform

The Austrian government proposed significant reforms to national gambling laws to end the current restrictive concession model held by the Austrian Lotteries. The proposed legislation aims to transition to an open licensing system for multiple providers, focusing on enhanced player protection, IT security, and anti-money laundering systems.

The reform is currently undergoing an extended review by the European Commission following objections from Malta. The regulatory review period, originally scheduled to end in early November, has been extended to December 7, 2026, after Malta provided a detailed opinion on the draft legislation. Concerns from Malta reportedly involve the enforceability of court rulings regarding online gambling refunds, which is a requirement for obtaining an Austrian license.

Under the draft Gambling Act, the new regulatory system is intended to take effect on January 1, 2027, with concessions becoming effective on October 1, 2027. Illegal operators would be required to secure licenses by January 1, 2027, to avoid exclusion periods of 18 to 24 months.

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.