Austria’s Finance Ministry has confirmed that it is preparing a new draft law to underpin the country’s next casino monopoly tender, which is due for renewal in 2027. The government states that the draft will introduce uniform player protection standards across online and land-based gambling, while the wider industry continues to press for market liberalisation. Operators argue that the existing monopoly model is outdated and contributes to the growth of unlicensed gambling.
Austria’s Finance Ministry Prepares New Draft for Casino Tender Ahead of Renewal Timeline: Brief Overview of the Key Facts
- Austria’s Finance Ministry has confirmed that it is preparing a draft law to support the country’s next casino monopoly tender, which is due for renewal in 2027. The draft proposes uniform player protection standards, age-related loss limits and an independent gambling authority.
- The proposed framework includes stronger enforcement through payment blocking, domain blocking and financial penalties. The ministry has yet to announce whether the monopoly will be replaced or retained.
- Industry stakeholders push for market liberalisation, warning that the monopoly could fuel illegal operations and reduce tax revenues. They argue that a competitive licensing regime would improve player protection and regulatory oversight.
Finance Ministry Prepares Draft for 2027 Tender
The Austrian Ministry of Finance has confirmed that it is working on a draft law that will establish the framework for its upcoming casino tender process in the coming months. Officials refused to comment on whether the gambling monopoly would be abolished. However, they revealed that the draft would establish uniform player protection standards, age-dependent loss limits and an independent gambling regulator.
The draft law also proposes measures to combat unlicensed operators through payment blocking, domain blocking, and significant financial penalties. Online gambling in Austria and lotteries are currently operating with a single-licence model, with the 15-year permit held by Austrian Lotteries’ Win2day brand, a subsidiary of Casinos Austria.
While land-based gambling is popular, consumers frequently visit online casinos in Austria for the convenience that they offer. This has motivated the officials to introduce strict regulations in the interest of public welfare. In May, authorities shut down an illegal lottery operation in Vienna, as part of a broader enforcement initiative.
Apart from online lottery licences, Casinos Austria also holds all 12 land-based casino licences. State holding company ÖBAG owns a 33% stake in the group. According to Austrian attorney Arthur Stadler, six of the existing offline casino licences and the single online licence will expire in 2027, with the remaining six expiring in 2030. As a result, authorities have been proactively working to launch the open market before the 2027 timeline.
Finance Ministry to Review the Leaked Draft Law
In December, a draft legislation from the Finance Ministry had leaked to the press. The document revealed the government’s plans to continue with the gambling monopoly and introduce stricter enforcement measures against unlicensed casino operators. Proposed measures included payment and domain blocking, undercover “test plays” by regulators and severe advertising restrictions on foreign casinos.
Following strong criticism from across the industry, the ministry said the leaked draft would be revised. Meanwhile, political signals on the future of the monopoly have been mixed. Last year, Austria’s three-party coalition pledged a “further development” of the gambling monopoly in its February coalition agreement. With the current tender set to expire next year, industry observers view the timing as a potential opportunity for broader regulatory reforms.
Industry Stakeholders Urge Reform Rather than Prohibition
Gambling operators welcome the improved player protection standards but argue that enforcement without reforming the current licensing framework could lead to a significant decline in tax revenues. Simon Priglinger-Simader, President of the Austrian trade body OVWG, stated that payment blocking should follow rather than precede a licensing framework.
Priglinger-Simader said:
Payment blocking should only come after licensing. Otherwise, you don’t get what you need from a budget perspective.
Industry stakeholders describe a range of possible outcomes, with the worst-case scenario being a renewed monopoly with more severe enforcement and the best-case scenario being the launch of a competitive market. Under a liberalised model, the OVWG expects a transparent market similar to Germany.
Authorities are likely to issue around 30 permits during the first phase of the licensing window. The new national gambling regulator would oversee operations and compliance, which the government aims to establish by 2029. Calls for reform have also come from operators active in Austria.
Monika Racek, CEO of Admiral Casinos & Entertainment AG, explained that the monopoly was motivating players to sign up at unregulated gambling sites. This is counterintuitive to both consumer safety and the state’s earning potential.
Racek noted:
The monopoly is leading to an ever-growing black market where players enjoy no protection whatsoever. There are no player bans, no limits and no control. The state turns a blind eye and loses not only tax revenue but, above all, control over player protection.
The CEO emphasised the need to transition toward a modern, regulated framework to foster responsible gambling and improve player protection standards.
Racek continued:
The solution is obvious. A sustainable and competitive framework means opening up the market to several licensed providers under clear and strict conditions.