Felix Hohenthanner, a lawyer at Rapani Rechtsanwälte, expressed that the decision to open Austria’s online gambling market is monumental. During the SBC Summit 2026 in Lisbon, he shared his insights along with Simon Priglinger-Simader, president of the OVWG, following a panel discussion titled “DACH in the Driver’s Seat: Austria’s Landmark Shift to a Multi-Licence Market.”
Hohenthanner described the shift as significant given that Austria’s gambling monopoly has been in place for roughly 20 years. He noted, "It’s exciting news for the industry in Austria." Just two or three years ago, such changes seemed highly improbable, with the primary drivers for this shift being a low channelisation rate of around 30% and the state's urgent need for tax revenue amidst an EU deficit procedure.
However, the panelists urged caution regarding the timeline. The proposed legislation allows for application submissions to commence on January 1, 2027, with licenses becoming active on October 1, coinciding with the expiration of Win2Day’s sole online license. Hohenthanner termed the timeline “a very ambitious schedule,” highlighting that some procedural steps have already been expedited. The consultation process lasted only two weeks and garnered over 100 submissions, but the draft law moved to Brussels with minimal changes. Additionally, a submission from Malta could potentially delay the law’s implementation.
"Personally, I doubt there will be a running licensing process in Q1 2027. But we’ll see," Hohenthanner stated. As a regulatory lawyer, he expressed a hope that the schedule would be adhered to.
Priglinger-Simader approached the issue of market demand with caution after engaging with government parties throughout the past two years. He commented that the finance ministry anticipates as many as 20 applications but suggested that if key concerns are not addressed, the number could fall below ten. Non-deductibility of player claims refunds from the tax base is seen as a critical hurdle for applicants.
Operators previously active in Austria will need to resolve player claims and any back taxes. Those still offering services post-January 1 will have an 18-month waiting period before applying for a license. Arthur Stadler, founding partner at Stadler Partners, predicted only five to ten applicants overall.
Another unresolved issue is enforcement. The regulatory body responsible for payment and IP blocking is yet to be established. Hohenthanner, when asked for a timeline on when blocking would begin, humorously remarked, "I’d be a magician if I could give you a date."
Priglinger-Simader stated that having a total of 15 operators would signify a successful regulation. If applications do not commence by early 2027, he suggested that the government might need to reassess its approach. Hohenthanner succinctly noted, "You only get players into a regulated market if the legal product is attractive."
