Austria's Ministry of Finance expects approximately 20 companies to apply for online gambling licenses if the country proceeds with plans to open its online casino market to multiple operators.

The estimate, reported in Austria on October 17 and revisited on October 20, comes as the government prepares a significant overhaul of its gambling legislation.

Under the proposed framework, Austria would move away from its existing online gambling monopoly and introduce a licensing system that would allow multiple operators to compete in the regulated market.

The ministry's regulatory impact assessment projects that the share of online gambling activity through licensed operators could rise from 45% in late 2027 to 75% by 2030.

These figures are government forecasts, not confirmed market outcomes. The legislation has not been enacted, and the expected applicants have not yet received licenses.

New Casino Licenses Would Come With Strict Deposit Limits

Austria's proposed market opening would introduce significant technical requirements for online casino platforms.

Players under 26 would face a weekly deposit limit of €250, while older players would be subject to a monthly limit of €1,680.

Operators would also need to support a centralized self-exclusion register and implement a 72-hour waiting period before increases to self-set gambling limits take effect.

These measures could require changes to casinos and casino apps, particularly their account management, payment systems and responsible gambling interfaces.

The proposed safeguards also raise an important technical question is how will operators coordinate player protection across multiple licensed platforms?

A centralized system could help prevent excluded players from moving between licensed casino brands, but its effectiveness would depend on reliable identity matching, timely data updates and consistent implementation.

Austria Plans Stronger Controls Against Illegal Casino Websites

The reform also proposes website and payment-blocking measures targeting unauthorized gambling operators.

That combination reflects a broader European regulatory approach, allowing licensed competition while making it harder for unlicensed platforms to reach local players.

For mobile casino operators, the consequences could extend beyond obtaining a license. Compliance may involve changes to payment processing, identity verification, account restrictions and player monitoring.

The government's projected increase in licensed-market participation will depend partly on whether authorized casinos can attract players away from unlicensed alternatives.

November 5 Marks the Next Regulatory Deadline

Austria's draft legislation has been submitted through the European Union's Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS).

The European Commission records November 5, 2026, as the end of the notification standstill period.

That deadline is procedural. It does not mean the legislation automatically becomes law or that new casino licenses can immediately be issued.

The next steps will depend on Austria's legislative process and the final regulatory framework.

The development makes Austria an important market to watch in 2027. If the reform proceeds, international casino operators could gain access to a newly competitive market, but they would also face detailed technical requirements for deposits, player identification and responsible gambling.

The biggest change may not simply be the number of new casino apps entering Austria. It could be the introduction of a shared player-protection infrastructure governing how those apps operate.

Sources Used

European Commission. (2026, August 4). Notification 2026/0415/AT: Federal Act amending the Gambling Act and the Telecommunications Act 2021. Technical Regulation Information System. Official EU notification.

Austrian Parliament. (2026, August 12). Glücksspielgesetz-Novelle: Mehr Spielerschutz, Marktöffnung und Maßnahmen gegen illegale Anbieter [Gambling law amendment: Greater player protection, market opening, and measures against illegal operators]. Official parliamentary announcement.

Šećerović, A. (2026, October 17). Finanzministerium rechnet mit 20 Konzessionen, Experten skeptisch [Finance Ministry expects 20 licenses, experts skeptical]. MeinBezirk. Original Austrian reporting