Austria has formally begun its review of existing gambling laws, setting the country on a clear regulatory path toward a liberalised online gambling market.
The process follows a new Draft Bill finalised by the Federal Ministry of Finance, targeting the long-standing monopoly privileges currently enjoyed by Casinos Austria.
The Draft Bill represents a significant shift in Austria’s approach to gambling regulation, signalling the government’s intent to reshape the sector fundamentally.
For decades, Casinos Austria has operated under exclusive privileges that have effectively locked out competition from the broader online gambling industry.
The Federal Ministry of Finance has now moved to formally challenge those arrangements, pushing forward legislative groundwork that could transform market access.
Austria’s liberalisation timeline points toward 2029 as the target year for a fully restructured and competitive online gambling framework to be operational.
The regulatory review process will examine the scope of privileges granted to Casinos Austria and determine how market opening can be practically achieved.
A liberalised market would allow new operators to apply for licences and compete legally within Austria’s online gambling space for the first time.
The move aligns Austria with broader European trends, as several jurisdictions have already moved away from state monopoly models toward regulated multi-operator markets.
Industry observers will be watching closely as Austria works through its legislative process, given the country’s historically conservative stance on gambling liberalisation.
The Draft Bill is expected to undergo further parliamentary scrutiny before any formal licensing framework is introduced ahead of the 2029 target date.
