Austria regulates gambling at federal level through the Gambling Act (Glücksspielgesetz, GSpG). Online casino games may only be offered under a single federal licence, which is held by Österreichische Lotterien and used for win2day. In 2026 the government agreed a reform that would replace this model with a licensing system, but it has not yet entered into force. This guide explains the current rules, what the reform proposes, how to recognise a licensed operator, how winnings are taxed and where to get help.
Is online gambling legal in Austria?
Online casino games are legal in Austria when they are offered under the federal lottery licence, which includes electronic lotteries such as online casino games. That licence is held by Österreichische Lotterien, and its online platform is win2day. Sports betting is regulated separately by the federal states, so licensed bookmakers operate under state rules.
Other companies that offer online casino games to Austrian residents do so without an Austrian licence. Under the GSpG this counts as prohibited gambling (verbotene Ausspielungen). Players are not the main target of the rules, but they are outside the Austrian system of supervision and player protection.
Is advertising for online casinos allowed in Austria?
Only for licensed gambling. Section 52 of the GSpG makes it an administrative offence to promote prohibited gambling, which includes advertising unlicensed online casinos to people in Austria. Austrian authorities have fined companies for advertising and linking to such offers, and the courts have upheld fines of several thousand euros per case.
Licensed operators may advertise, but they have to follow rules on responsible marketing and must not target minors.
What does the 2026 gambling reform propose?
In 2026 the governing parties agreed on a reform package that would end the single online licence and introduce a licensing system for online casino games. The draft law was notified to the European Commission, which is a required step before it can be adopted. Until the reform is passed and in force, the current rules continue to apply.
According to reporting on the draft, the reform includes stronger enforcement tools, such as payment blocking and blacklisting of unlicensed sites, and a central self-exclusion register across all operators and game types. Reported details such as stake limits may still change during the legislative process, so treat any figures as provisional until the final law is published.
- A licensing system for online casino games instead of a single licence
- Stronger action against unlicensed operators, including payment blocking
- A central self-exclusion register for all licensed operators
- Transition rules for companies that currently serve Austria without a licence
Who regulates gambling in Austria?
The Federal Ministry of Finance (Bundesministerium für Finanzen, BMF) grants the federal gambling licences and supervises the licensees. Enforcement against illegal gambling is handled by the finance police and the local administrative authorities, which can impose fines under the GSpG.
Sports betting is a matter for the nine federal states, each with its own betting law and licensing authority. If you are checking a bookmaker, look at the authority of the state where it is licensed.
How can you recognise a licensed operator?
For online casino games the answer today is short: only win2day, run by Österreichische Lotterien, holds the federal licence. Any other site offering slots, roulette or blackjack to Austrian residents does not have an Austrian licence, even if it shows a licence from Malta, Gibraltar or Curaçao.
The Ministry of Finance publishes information on licensed operators and on illegal gambling on its website. If the reform comes into force, the ministry will also publish the list of new licensees there.
- Check whether the casino is operated under the Austrian federal licence.
- Compare the operator name on the site with the information published by the Ministry of Finance.
- Look for identity checks, deposit limits and a clear self-exclusion option.
- For sports betting, check the licence of the relevant federal state.
What are the risks of unlicensed gambling sites?
An unlicensed operator is not supervised by Austrian authorities. If a withdrawal is delayed or an account is closed, you cannot turn to the Ministry of Finance for help, and you have to deal with the company or a foreign regulator.
Austrian courts have in many cases held that contracts with operators without an Austrian licence are void, and some players have taken legal action to reclaim losses. These cases depend on the facts and can take a long time, so they are no reason to play with an unlicensed site. Unlicensed sites also do not take part in Austrian player protection measures.
Do you pay tax on gambling winnings in Austria?
Private players in Austria do not normally pay income tax on gambling winnings. Gambling taxes are charged to the operators instead. Professional gambling can be treated differently, so ask a tax adviser if gambling is a regular source of income for you.
Where can you get help with gambling problems in Austria?
Spielsuchthilfe in Vienna offers free, confidential counselling and treatment for people with gambling problems and their families. You can reach it on +43 1 544 13 57 or through spielsuchthilfe.at. Each federal state also has addiction counselling services.
If you are in an acute crisis, the TelefonSeelsorge is available around the clock on 142. Licensed operators must also offer limits and self-exclusion, so use those tools early if you feel you are losing control.
Myths vs facts
- Myth: Austria has already opened its online casino market.
- Fact: A reform was agreed in 2026, but it still has to complete the legislative process. Until then only the federal licence holder may offer online casino games.
- Myth: A Malta licence makes an online casino legal in Austria.
- Fact: Only a licence under the Austrian Gambling Act counts. Offers without it are treated as prohibited gambling in Austria.
- Myth: Advertising foreign online casinos is allowed if the company is based abroad.
- Fact: Section 52 GSpG penalises promoting prohibited gambling in Austria, and authorities have fined advertisers for it.
- Myth: Gambling winnings must be declared to the tax office.
- Fact: For private players, gambling winnings are normally not subject to income tax in Austria, because the operator pays the gambling tax.
Before you claim
- Casino operates under the Austrian federal licence
- Operator name matches the Ministry of Finance information
- Identity check and deposit limits are in place
- Self-exclusion option is easy to find
- Sports betting provider has a licence from a federal state
- You follow the status of the 2026 reform on official sources
- Spielsuchthilfe number +43 1 544 13 57 saved in case you need it