Austria's iGaming Reform: A New Open Market?

Austria may be on the verge of a significant transformation in its online gambling and lottery market, as political momentum builds to end the longstanding monopoly held by win2day, a subsidiary of Casinos Austria.

Currently, win2day holds the exclusive license to offer online casino and lottery products in the country—a privilege that extends to all twelve of Austria's land-based casinos. However, with the current license set to expire in 2027, lawmakers are seriously weighing whether to liberalize the gambling sector for the first time.

Political Winds Shifting Toward Gambling Reform

The reform gained traction after Austria's three-party coalition—consisting of the centre-right People’s Party (ÖVP), liberals (NEOS), and centre-left Social Democrats (SPÖ)—came into power. Their coalition agreement signaled a willingness to reassess the existing gambling monopoly, raising hopes among international operators and stakeholders for a more open and competitive market.

“The political alignment is more promising than ever,” said OWiG President Priglinger-Simader, emphasizing that Austria is “much closer to online gambling reform than we’ve ever been.” The failure of past reform efforts was largely due to political discord, but this coalition appears more unified in its vision for modernization.

Legal and Market Pressures Add Urgency

Austria’s current system has faced legal scrutiny, particularly from the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The court has criticized the lack of player channelisation—the ability to guide users toward legal platforms—arguing it undermines the monopoly’s legitimacy.

As many offline casino licenses begin to expire between 2027 and 2030, the urgency to adopt a new licensing framework is mounting. Policymakers must now decide whether to maintain tight controls or embrace a fully open market model.

Player Protection and Regulation in Focus

Another central issue is player protection. Austria’s current Gambling Act has been criticized for lacking effective safeguards. “There are still no binding legal regulations ensuring player protection,” noted Priglinger-Simader.

Any move to open the market must be paired with enhanced regulations to prevent harm. Austria may look to other European models—such as Germany’s restrictive licensing—to shape a system that balances accessibility with stringent responsible gaming measures.

What Happens Next?

The future of online gaming in Austria depends heavily on how the government structures its next licensing round. Will it continue to favor a single operator, or will it invite multiple stakeholders under strict regulatory oversight?

For now, operators, regulators, and players alike are watching closely as Austria stands at a pivotal crossroads.