Online casinos are legal in Austria, but they operate under a strict government monopoly system. The Austrian gambling industry is regulated by the Law on Games of Chance (GSpG) and falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance (1). This federal monopoly means that only licensed operators approved by the government can legally offer gambling services, including online casinos, to Austrian residents.
The Austrian gambling framework requires all online casino operators to obtain proper licensing from the Ministry of Finance, which serves as both the licensing authority and supervisory body for the industry. International gambling activities offered via electronic media such as the Internet are subject to Austria's national gambling monopoly and may not be advertised or executed within the country without proper authorization (1). Violations of this monopoly system can result in civil law penalties or administrative sanctions under gambling law regulations.
"Lotteries are subject to a single licence pursuant to Section 14 GSpG – de facto constituting a monopoly. This licence may be granted to corporations established in the EU or EEA with a minimum share capital of EUR 109 million."
The regulatory structure ensures that gambling operations in Austria maintain high standards of player protection and responsible gaming measures. Licensed operators must implement comprehensive risk analysis procedures at regular intervals and comply with strict requirements for preventing gambling addiction and protecting minors (2). This monopoly system, while restrictive, provides a controlled environment where Austrian players can access legal online casino services through authorized platforms that meet the country's stringent regulatory requirements.
Source:
https://www.bmf.gv.at/en/topics/taxation/regulation-of-games-of-chance.html
https://iclg.com/practice-areas/gambling-laws-and-regulations/austria
Last updated: 26-07-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
