Austria’s planned online gambling overhaul faces a new delay after Malta submitted a detailed opinion to the European Union, extending the mandatory review period until 7 December 2026. The intervention narrows the time Vienna has to finalise legislation to replace its online gambling monopoly with a multi-concession licensing system.
Malta’s detailed opinion extended Austria’s EU standstill period from 5 November to 7 December 2026.
The proposed reform would allow multiple licensed operators to enter Austria’s regulated online gambling market.
Existing cross-border operators face proposed eligibility restrictions and requirements concerning outstanding taxes and player claims.
Austria’s planned January 2027 implementation timetable faces additional pressure, although the bill has not yet been adopted.
Austria notified the European Commission of its draft Gambling Act amendments on 4 August. The official notification under reference 2026/0415/AT now identifies Malta as the member state issuing a detailed opinion and confirms 7 December as the revised end of the standstill period.
The procedure allows EU member states to scrutinise proposed national rules before their adoption. Austria can continue parliamentary preparations, but cannot formally adopt the notified measures during the extended standstill. The submission does not mean Brussels has rejected the reform.
The delay follows Austria’s submission of its gambling reform for EU review in August, when the initial three-month assessment began.
Austria currently operates a monopoly-based online gambling framework, with Win2Day holding the domestic online casino and lottery concession. The proposed legislation would open online gambling to additional concession holders while tightening controls against unauthorised services.
Measures include website and payment blocking, centralised player-protection requirements and licensing conditions for businesses that previously served Austrian customers without local authorisation.
Operators continuing such activity beyond 31 December 2026 could face an 18-month exclusion from the licensing process. Applicants would also need to address outstanding gambling taxes and player claims.
The dispute adds to existing legal tensions between Austria and Malta-licensed operators, including cross-border litigation over gambling losses.
The shorter interval between the revised EU deadline and the proposed 1 January 2027 implementation date leaves operators less time to assess licence eligibility, compliance systems and market-entry plans.
Austria’s earlier preparations for its 2027 gambling concession renewals explain the urgency. The next milestone is the end of the EU standstill on 7 December, not the automatic approval or launch of a new licensing regime.
