Austria notifies gambling law reform to European Commission
The law cannot be passed until a three-month standstill period ends, though the Finance Ministry said Austria’s parliamentary process can continue in the meantime.
Draft national rules covering online services must be notified to the European Commission and held for a set period before a member state can adopt them. Austria’s Ministry of Finance announced on 4 August 2026 that it has submitted its proposed gambling law to the Commission for review and notification.
What the notification means
The submission triggers a three-month standstill period. The law can only be passed once that period has ended, but the ministry said the parliamentary process can continue while the standstill runs.
The ministry described the core of the reform as the new regulation of online gambling and the modernisation of player protection, with a focus on a wide range of player-related measures.
Open licensing, with conditions attached
The draft proposes an open licensing procedure for online gambling. A draft of the law emerged on 27 May and set out plans to end the country’s online casino monopoly and open the market to multiple licensees.
Applicants must meet strict requirements, and providers currently operating illegally must cease their operations by 1 January 2027 to be eligible. Failure to do so brings an 18-month waiting period before a licence can be granted, increasing to 24 months from 2030 onwards.
All outstanding tax debts and unpaid player protection claims must also be settled. The ministry said this will ensure justice for approximately 20,000 aggrieved players in Austria.
Payment blocking, blacklisting, and network blocking will safeguard the legal market, with the stated aim of significantly increasing the channelling of illegal to legal offerings. A digital regulatory system for online gambling will also be established, implementing a central, operator-independent deposit limit.
Player protection measures
A central exclusion register spanning operators and game types is being introduced for the first time. It will centrally record operator-imposed exclusions and self-exclusions, covering casino, slot machine, and online gambling.
Deposit limits will apply to online gambling and slot machines, with lower limits for individuals between 18 and 26 years of age to provide particular protection for young adults. The ministry said a legal requirement for gambling addiction potential analyses will promote scientifically sound research.
For slot machines, game speed and maximum stakes will be reduced, and a mandatory cooling-off period after 90 minutes of play will be introduced.
Casino licences capped at 13
The amendment also includes new rules for awarding casino licences. These are to be limited to 13, with the possibility of awarding them in packages.
Where a package is awarded, the ministry said particular attention must be paid to minimising competitive pressure between casinos to strengthen player protection, and to ensuring a balanced allocation of licences.
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