Austria Submits Gambling Reform Package to European Commission, Outlining Path to 13 Casino Licences by October 2027

Austria’s Ministry of Finance has formally submitted its gambling reform package to the European Commission, initiating a mandatory three-month review before adoption. If the timetable proceeds, the restructured market opens in October 2027. The proposal caps casino licences at 13, to be awarded in packages while requiring balanced geographical distribution and measures to prevent excessive competition in support of player protection.

Casinos Austria has called for retaining the package-based approach. Smaller players favor individual concessions. Many anticipate splits such as two packages of six and seven licences, enabling another large operator to enter while restricting smaller companies.

The reforms open licensing for online operators. Transitional rules give unauthorized providers until January 1, 2027, to exit the market and gain immediate eligibility. Those missing the deadline face an 18-month wait, rising to 24 months from 2030. Applicants must settle tax obligations and claims involving approximately 20,000 affected players.

A new digital supervisory platform will include a central deposit limit independent of operators. Enforcement includes payment blocking, blacklisting, and network blocking to steer activity toward licensed providers. The Austrian Betting and Gaming Association (OVWG) expressed skepticism that transitional arrangements will produce substantial channelization to licensed operators, expecting the black market to benefit instead.

Core Player Protection Provisions

The legislation establishes a national exclusion register covering casinos, slot machines, and online platforms. It merges voluntary self-exclusions with operator-imposed bans to stop players from switching products or providers. Mandatory deposit limits apply to online gambling and slots, with lower thresholds for adults aged 18 to 26. Maximum slot stakes will be reduced, game speeds slowed, and a cooling-off break required after 90 consecutive minutes of play. Operators must assess addiction potential of products to inform research and harm reduction policy.

Implementation Risks and Timing Considerations

As reported by Yogonet International, the draft was submitted on Tuesday, allowing parliamentary work to continue in parallel with the EU review. The Commission may flag state aid or single market concerns. This package reflects a controlled liberalization that maintains tight oversight. Client-partners tracking Austrian market entry should map the transitional deadlines, centralized controls, and licensing structure against their compliance capabilities, as the review period could still produce adjustments before the 2027 launch.

Reporting: Yogonet International