The Finance Ministry of Austria is currently drafting legislation for the upcoming 2027 casino tender, a move that promises “uniform player protection standards” but has reignited the debate over the country’s state-run gambling monopoly.
While the government moves to update the framework for the tender renewal, private operators are urging authorities to abandon the current monopoly model, calling it “backward”.
New Draft Legislation
The Ministry confirmed it is working on a draft law to serve as the foundation for the new tender process. A spokesperson revealed that the draft focuses on establishing “uniform player protection standards” across both online and land-based sectors, introducing “age-dependent loss-limits,” and creating an independent gambling authority.
The proposal also outlines aggressive enforcement measures against unlicensed operators, including payment blocking, domain blocking, and significant financial penalties.
The Monopoly Debate
Currently, Casinos Austria holds all 12 land-based casino licenses and the single license for online gaming via its subsidiary, Win2day. Six of the land-based licenses and the online license expire in 2027, with the remaining six expiring in 2030. While a leaked draft in December suggested the monopoly would continue, industry backlash forced a u-turn and a promise of revisions.
Operators argue that the monopoly drives players to the black market.
Monika Racek, CEO of Admiral, stated, “The monopoly is leading to an ever-growing black market where players enjoy no protection whatsoever. There are no player bans, no limits and no control”. She added:
“The solution is obvious. A sustainable and competitive framework means opening up the market to several licensed providers under clear and strict conditions”.
Entain echoed these sentiments, telling GGB that an open licensing system is in the “best interests of all parties”. Trade body OVWG warned that enforcement measures like payment blocking should only follow a licensing expansion to ensure tax revenue stability.
