Austria’s new gambling law to miss summer 2026 deadline
Austria’s state-backed casino operator has indicated that sweeping changes to the country’s gambling framework may unfold in stages, indicating a delay as the new licencing model is likely to arrive before the creation of an independent regulator.
Casinos Austria AG (CASAG), which holds the exclusive licence for land-based casinos in Austria, said the planned overhaul is progressing but faces practical constraints. In comments to Austrian news agency APA, company spokesperson Patrick Minar suggested that establishing a separate gambling authority to replace the Ministry of Finance could take between six and 12 months.
That timeframe may extend beyond the government’s stated ambition of introducing a revamped gambling regime by the end of 2026. Earlier, the plans were to introduce a new gambling body by summer 2026.
Delay due to existing licences
Austria’s current system is unusual by European standards. In many countries, policymakers have opted either for a full state monopoly or for a liberalised market with multiple licensed operators. Austria, however, blends elements of both.
CASAG controls all land-based casino operations. The company is 33 percent owned by a state holding entity, while the majority stake is held by the Czech-based gambling group Allwyn. This structure gives the state influence while leaving operational control largely in private hands.
Online casino gaming, meanwhile, operates under a strict monopoly. It is run by Austrian Lotteries and its subsidiary Win2Day. Austrian Lotteries is majority-owned by ÖLG Holding, which in turn is wholly owned by CASAG. In effect, CASAG sits at the centre of both the physical and online markets.
As a result, proposed reforms are expected to have their greatest impact on the online segment. Policymakers have been working on changes since last year, with attention focused on the expiry of key concessions. Win2Day’s licence runs until 2027, with CASAG’s land-based concession following soon after. Aligning legislative reform with these timelines would allow the government to reshape the market before renewing long-term rights.
Jan Krainer, a member of the Austrian National Council, has said that technical discussions are largely complete. Measures such as IP blocking of unlicensed gambling websites have reportedly been agreed in principle. Such provisions are aimed at curbing offshore operators who target Austrian customers without holding a domestic licence.
Draft bill to be finalised soon
However, the full legislative texts have yet to be published. Legal experts note that if the government intends to meet its 2026 target, the draft bill would ideally need to be finalised by March 2026. This would allow time for the required review in Brussels, as Austria’s framework must align with European Union rules, and for parliamentary scrutiny before the summer recess.
The debate now centres on whether Austria will maintain its tightly structured system or open the door to greater competition, particularly online. With concessions approaching expiry and institutional reform under discussion, the coming months are likely to determine the future shape of one of Europe’s more distinctive gambling markets.
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