Austria Expects 20 Applicants Under Proposed Online Casino Licensing Regime

Austria’s Finance Ministry expects around 20 companies to apply for online gambling licences under a proposed reform that would open the market to multiple operators.

The estimate underpins the ministry’s regulatory impact assessment. The proposed system would place no numerical cap on online licences, allowing applicants that satisfy the requirements to enter the market.

The legislation remains subject to parliamentary approval. According to European Gaming’s October 20 report, the Finance Committee had not yet begun debating the bill. 

Ministry Forecasts 75% Licensed Market Share by 2030

The impact assessment assumes licensed operators would capture 45% of online gambling activity when the new market opens in October 2027. That share would rise to 60% in 2028, 70% in 2029 and 75% in 2030.

These figures represent the ministry’s projected channelisation rate, meaning the proportion of gambling taking place through licensed services.

The assessment forecasts an additional net public revenue gain of approximately €170.6 million in 2030 across federal, state and municipal budgets. The corresponding estimate for the partial opening year of 2027 is approximately €20.4 million. 

Licences Could Be Awarded From January 2027

Under the draft, licences could be awarded from January 1, 2027, with operations authorised to begin on October 1.

Applicants would need an EU or European Economic Area company with a supervisory board and at least €10 million in paid-up capital. Initial licences would run for up to five years, with renewals available for up to 10 years.

The proposed application fee is €70,000. A further €300,000 would be payable when an online licence is first granted, while subsequent renewals would carry a €600,000 fee. 

Previous Unlicensed Activity Would Affect Eligibility

Operators that previously served Austrian customers without a local licence would face additional conditions.

Those ending their unlicensed offering before January 1, 2027, and remaining out of the market until licensed could avoid a waiting period. Operators withdrawing later would face an 18-month exclusion from receiving a licence, measured from the date they stop operating. That period would increase to 24 months for businesses stopping after December 31, 2029.

Applicants would also need to settle outstanding gambling tax liabilities that remain legally recoverable and satisfy final Austrian civil court judgments obtained by players.

The Finance Ministry says the reform would support enforcement through payment blocking, website blocking and blacklisting, alongside stronger player protection measures and central registers.