Austria has taken a decisive step toward reshaping its gambling framework, with the Ministry of Finance confirming that work is underway on a draft that will guide the country’s next casino monopoly tender cycle. The draft, which is expected to serve as the procedural foundation for the 2027 licensing process, introduces uniform rules for both online and land-based gambling and marks the first formal confirmation that authorities are preparing the next phase of the country’s monopoly system.
Draft Moves Forward as Monopoly Licences Near Expiry
Key concessions within Austria’s current gambling architecture, including the exclusive online casino permit held by Win2day and six of the country’s twelve land-based casino licences, reach expiry in 2027. The remaining licences are due in 2030. Given that national tenders can span multiple years, officials have acknowledged that the process must begin well in advance to remain compliant with national requirements.
According to ministry communications, the new draft incorporates “uniform player protection standards” for both retail and online gambling, introduces “age-dependent loss-limits,” and outlines the establishment of an independent gambling authority. It also includes enforcement tools aimed at curbing unlicensed operators through payment blocking, domain blocking and significant financial penalties.
These details align with previous indications that Austria intends to overhaul its supervisory structure, though it remains unclear whether the final proposal will maintain exclusivity, expand to a limited number of licensees, or adopt a competitive licensing model more consistent with other EU markets.
Conflicting Signals Over the Future of the Monopoly Model
The Finance Ministry has avoided stating publicly whether the monopoly will continue. A leaked draft circulated in December favored preserving the monopoly and strengthening enforcement. Its provisions included payment blocking, domain blocking, undercover “test plays” by regulators, and advertising restrictions for offshore operators. After criticism, ministries signaled that revisions would be made, distancing themselves from the leaked text.
Industry groups have argued that the current model no longer reflects market realities. Although Austrian Lotteries’ Win2day retains exclusive rights on paper, its online market share is considerably smaller than monopoly outcomes in other jurisdictions. International operators licensed elsewhere in Europe continue to serve Austrian customers, creating a grey-market environment that has led to consumer refund claims and eroded channelisation toward regulated operators. The sector has also highlighted Austria’s increased tax rate on online gambling, now set at 45%, as a further complicating factor.
Domestic and international operators have renewed calls to replace the monopoly with a multiple-licence framework. A coalition of operators and trade bodies has described the current structure as outdated, arguing that its limitations have expanded player migration to unregulated platforms and weakened consumer protections. As reported by iGaming Business, one prominent Austrian operator stated, “The monopoly is leading to an ever-growing black market where players enjoy no protection whatsoever,” adding, “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.”
Industry representatives maintain that Austria’s situation diverges from other EU markets, where liberalisation has been used to enhance oversight rather than weaken it. Some operators believe the best-case outcome resembles Germany, where multiple licensees operate under strict regulation enforced by an independent authority. Under that scenario, Austria’s independent gambling authority would become operational by 2029.
Decision Point Ahead of the 2027 Tender
Political negotiations remain critical to the final outcome. The governing coalition has previously referenced a “further development” of the monopoly, without clarifying whether that meant expansion, transformation, or replacement. Market actors warn that maintaining the existing system with intensified enforcement could generate the worst possible fiscal outcome by constraining licensing opportunities while failing to capture grey-market activity. Calls for reform are led by Austria’s trade association, the OVWG, which argues that the tender cycle offers a rare opportunity for structural modernization.
With expiry dates approaching and limited time for legislative adjustments, Austria now faces a turning point. The confirmed preparation of the tender draft shows the process is advancing, but its trajectory remains uncertain until the Ministry of Finance publishes the full proposal.
