Austria Publishes Draft Online Gambling Framework for 2027 Launch

Austria Publishes Draft Online Gambling Rules – High Capital Threshold and Strict Player Limits Set Framework for 2027 Launch

Key Takeaways

• Austria has opened a public consultation on draft rules to liberalise its online gambling market, targeting October 2027 for launch.
• Operators must hold at least €10m in share capital and meet AML, player protection, and governance requirements to qualify for a licence.
• Weekly and monthly deposit limits will apply, alongside a €5 stake cap and €10,000 total win cap.
• Payment and IP blocking powers are included, and a centralised self-exclusion register is proposed.
• Stakeholders can submit feedback on the draft framework until 15 July 2026.

Government Launches Consultation on Online Gambling Reform

Austria’s government has published the full draft provisions for the liberalisation of its online gambling market and opened a formal public consultation process. The reform follows an agreement by the country’s triparty coalition to aim for October 2027 as the start date for the new regulatory framework.

The consultation paper outlines what the government describes as the most significant gambling reform in Austria in 26 years. Under the draft, eligible operators will be able to apply for an online licence if they meet defined regulatory and financial criteria.

Stakeholders have until 15 July 2026 to provide feedback on the proposed rules. The consultation phase will help determine the final shape of the framework before the planned market opening.

€10m Share Capital Requirement and Governance Conditions

The draft framework sets a minimum share capital requirement of €10m for online licence applicants. In addition, operators must demonstrate effective anti money laundering compliance, robust player protection systems, and an appropriate supervisory board structure.

Applicants must also resolve all outstanding tax liabilities and player protection claims before entering the Austrian market. The draft further states that licences will only be granted to operators whose home state ensures that Austrian court judgements are enforceable.

This condition draws attention to cross border legal enforceability. The proposal specifically references the relevance of Malta’s Bill 55, which has been associated with limiting enforcement of certain foreign judgements against Malta based operators.

The licence application fee under the draft amendment is set at €70,000.

Cooling Off Period and Market Access Restrictions

The proposed regime introduces a cooling off period for operators currently offering services in Austria. Applicants must cease all previous gambling offerings in the country by 1 January 2027 and remain inactive until their Austrian licence is granted.

If an operator breaches this rule, the draft foresees a licensing ban lasting 18 months from the date of the violation. This measure directly links compliance during the transition period to eligibility under the new framework.

Deposit Caps, Stake Limits and Technical Safeguards

The draft provisions include detailed player protection measures. For players aged 18 to 26, weekly deposits will be capped at €250. For players aged 26 and above, monthly deposits will be limited to €1,680.

An increase in deposit limits may be granted on a case by case basis for individuals aged 23 and over. The criteria and review process for such increases are not detailed in the draft summary but are subject to regulatory oversight.

Online play will be restricted to a maximum stake of €5 per bet or spin. Total winnings will be capped at €10,000. In addition, each spin must last at least two seconds, and a mandatory cooling off break will apply after 90 minutes of continuous play.

The ban on jackpot features will be lifted under the new framework.

Enforcement Powers and Centralised Self Exclusion

The regulator will be granted authority to block payments linked to unlicensed gambling activity. This includes the power to blacklist IBANs and issue binding blocking orders to payment service providers.

IP blocking measures will also be implemented through infrastructure providers including AWS, Cloudflare, and Google.

The draft proposes a centralised self exclusion registry covering all forms of gambling except the lottery. The lottery will remain fully managed by the state operator Win2Day and is excluded from the broader self exclusion mechanism.

In the land based sector, the number of licences across the country will be set at 13.

Our Assessment

Austria’s draft legislation sets out a structured pathway towards opening its online gambling market by October 2027. The framework combines a high €10m share capital threshold, defined governance and compliance standards, and strict player protection measures including deposit and stake caps. It also introduces enforcement tools such as payment and IP blocking and a centralised self exclusion system. The consultation period, running until 15 July 2026, will determine how these provisions are finalised before implementation.