Austria weighs online licences as Vienna may end monopoly
Austria is approaching one of the most sensitive reforms in its gambling sector history. The government in Vienna is reportedly working on a comprehensive review of the current regulatory system, opening up the possibility of ending the online monopoly held by win2day, the platform controlled by Österreichische Lotterien and linked to the Casinos Austria group.
The issue has become central to the country’s political and economic debate, particularly in view of the expiry of the main national licences scheduled for 2027. Currently, the Austrian online market operates under a monopoly model: win2day holds the sole national licence for so-called ‘electronic lotteries’, a category that also includes online casinos and digital slots.
According to recent information from international specialist press, the Ministry of Finance is reportedly preparing a new draft regulation to redefine the licensing system.
Win2day monopoly and the expiry of licences
The central issue of the reform concerns precisely the end of the current licensing cycle.
Win2day’s online licence, along with six of the twelve land-based casino licences held by Casinos Austria, will in fact expire in 2027, forcing the government to launch a new national public tender.
The current model is considered one of the last remaining monopoly systems in the European iGaming market. According to several industry analysts, this regulatory framework no longer reflects the operational reality of the digital market, where numerous international operators already offer services to Austrian players under licences issued in other European countries.
And it is precisely this scenario that has fuelled, over the years, the so-called ‘grey market’, an issue that now represents one of the main problems for the Austrian legislature.
A possible multi-licenced system
Rumours circulating within the sector suggest the possibility of opening the online market to multiple authorised operators, following the model already adopted by other European countries.
According to some reports, the government is reportedly considering a regulated system with multiple online licences and the creation of a new independent authority to oversee the sector.
However, no definitive proposal has yet been approved. Available sources refer to technical drafts and ongoing political negotiations.
Some observers believe that Vienna may opt for an intermediate solution, avoiding total liberalisation and instead introducing a limited number of heavily regulated licences.
Any new structure could only become operational after the current licences expire, as part of a regulatory process that looks to 2029 as a possible timeline for the new model to come fully into effect.
Player protection and new restrictions
In parallel with the market opening, the Austrian government is reportedly considering a significant strengthening of consumer protection measures.
Drafts circulating within regulatory circles are said to include stricter limits on so-called ‘small-scale gaming’, i.e., slot machines installed outside traditional casinos, as well as new restrictions on the online sector.
Among the measures under discussion are limits on weekly deposits, restrictions on maximum permitted stakes, reductions in winnings and mandatory breaks during continuous gaming sessions.
According to reports from various industry sources, the Ministry of Finance is also reportedly considering more aggressive measures against unauthorised operators, including payment blocks, domain blocking and strengthened controls on advertising activities.
The stated aim is to increase player protection and improve the state’s ability to control the online market.
Player refund dispute
One of the most sensitive issues, however, concerns the legal disputes that have arisen in recent years involving offshore operators.
In Austria, several courts have recognised players’ right to claim reimbursement for losses incurred on platforms without a national licence. This situation has led to numerous legal disputes against international operators active in the Austrian market.
According to some reports, the future reform could impose very strict conditions on companies wishing to enter the new regulated system, requiring high compliance standards and checks on past litigation.
Fears of a black market
The most heated debate remains that concerning the balance between regulation and the competitiveness of the legal market.
According to numerous operators and trade associations, an excessively restrictive system would risk pushing players further towards illegal platforms or those without national authorisation.
Some estimates reported in the international press suggest that a very significant proportion of Austrian online traffic is already being captured by foreign operators operating outside the national monopoly.
For this reason, parts of the industry have long been calling for the introduction of a multi-licence model to increase traffic to the regulated market, improve the traceability of financial flows, and boost tax revenue for the state.
A case being closely watched across Europe
The developments currently unfolding in Vienna are being closely followed by the entire European iGaming sector.
Austria is, in fact, one of the last major EU markets still tied to a monopoly system in the online sector. A potential shift towards a model open to multiple operators would mark a historic change for the entire regulated gambling industry across the continent.
The legislative process remains complex, however. Political negotiations are still ongoing, and the government has not yet presented a final proposal.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Finance continues to work on the new regulatory framework that will shape the future of Austrian gambling in the coming years.
This article was originally published on the Italian SiGMA News page on 28 May 2026.
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