Austria has submitted a draft gambling law to parliament, establishing a framework for a regulated multi-operator online market. The legislation prepares for the October 2027 expiration of the current 15-year online gaming monopoly held by Win2Day.
The draft requires unlicensed operators to suspend services by January 2027. Companies that continue offering gambling products face an 18-month market ban, which increases to two years for operators still active by 2030. A nine-month pause on unlicensed activity will follow, allowing providers to settle outstanding player claims and unpaid taxes.
According to the Austrian Betting and Gaming Association, these financial obligations reach several million euros.
Legislative Timeline and Market Transition
Parliament is expected to approve the bill in July, initiating a mandatory three-month European Union notification period. The law would enter force in October at the earliest, giving the Finance Ministry approximately twelve months to run tenders, review applications, and award licenses. The lottery concession will be separated from the gaming license and maintain its monopoly status.
Preparations for a new independent gambling regulatory authority will also commence.
Political analyst Felix Geyer questions whether the licensing phase can conclude within the twelve-month window, noting that Austrian legislative procedures typically require extended timelines. He anticipates the tender process will begin only after the law takes effect. Industry observers also suggest that potential regulatory challenges from Malta could prolong the EU notification stage.
An earlier version of the draft specified a firm October 2027 deadline for license distribution, but this date was removed in the parliamentary submission. The Finance Ministry has not yet confirmed whether the original timeline remains in effect.