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Austria

Online Casinos in Austria

The Republic of Austria has a very extensive history, and no, we are not only talking about gambling here. I am sure you know that Austria is regarded as one of the most developed countries. The country’s economy is constantly booming, meaning nearly every sector is flourishing. That means Austrians are pretty stable when it comes to their financial state.

With substantial wealth, Austrians are keen to indulge in various money-related activities. Gambling is undoubtedly one of the many things people in Austria are fond of.

Online casino regulations in Austria are known to be quite complex, with various laws at both provincial and national levels. Categorizing casinos and small gambling adds to the regulations’ confusion. The state holds a monopoly over the gambling market, criticized by the European Court of Justice, and calls for change have been ongoing. Despite being legal, gambling-related activities are subject to several restrictions and are strictly regulated by the government. While land-based and online casinos are allowed to operate, they face limitations.

The Glücksspielgesetz, or Law on Games of Chance, is the federal law regulating these facilities, and an addition to the law in 2017 allowed for blocking IP addresses to non-licensed casinos. Additionally, the Austrian gambling market is dominated by one company, which holds most of the casino licenses and has a monopoly over the lottery.

History of Gambling in Austria

Most of you will be surprised that gambling in Austria dates back to 1751. The year 1751 marks the country’s first lottery, Genova Lottery. An interesting point to note is that the lottery is functional to date. Over time, various other lotteries were also introduced in Austria.

The class lottery dates back to 1912, while the 6 of 45 drawings were introduced by Austrian Lotteries in 1986. This particular format has now become the most popular form of lottery in the country.

Gambling rose to its heights in the year 2010. This was the year when online casinos started gaining global recognition. More and more people around the globe are fascinated with the idea of gambling over the internet. Initially, the laws of online and offline gambling were the same. All the casinos required a license to render services in Austria.

However, the government’s monopoly presented many online and offline gambling hurdles. That is why the regulation of online casinos caught people’s attention, and more and more demand has changed.

Modern-Day Gambling in Austria

Gambling is a supremely popular activity of choice in Austria. With that being said, it comes with many restrictions. Austrians need a change, and they are indeed demanding one. The monopoly of the market is becoming more and more unbearable. As far as land-based gambling is concerned, there are 12 key players in Austria.

When it comes to online gambling, Austrians can access online slots. Austrian operators license all of these slots. You will be free off-shore casinos if you choose to book a slot. Be aware that sports betting isn’t regulated. That is one of the prime reasons Austrians love to explore sports betting.

What does the Future Hold for Online Casinos in Austria?

It is hard to tell the future of online casinos in Austria. The government is super strict when it comes to regulating the market. This makes it incredibly difficult for private spaces to open up and provide services to Austrian online casino players. One positive thing about the situation is that it has been criticized publically.

Moreover, the regulations also faced criticism from the European Court of Justice. Essentially, the pressure on the government to change these regulations is immense. Hence, you and I can expect to see a new Gambling Act pop up in the future. This new law will ease privately owned companies immensely when taking licenses and providing services. Higher competition means better regulation and more significant benefits for both parties (government and players).

All of these are hopes at this point. Whether this becomes a reality or not is dependent on how the government will be able to combat pressure and how it will change regulations. The next few years will be crucial in determining the future of online gambling for the Austrian market.

Top 10 Online Casinos in Austria

Here is a list of the best online casinos in Austria. Please note that they are in no particular order and bonuses keep changing.

Online Casinos in Austria: Are They Legal?

Austria permits both online and land-based casinos, but the government imposes strict online gambling regulations in Austria to maintain control over the market. Only one license for lotteries is permitted, held by Austrian Lotteries. Casinos Austria has 12 of the 15 licenses for land-based casinos, with the remaining three previously granted to private casinos that lost their licenses for non-compliance with the law. Casinos Austria also owns a significant stake in Austrian Lotteries, which contributes to their monopoly over the gambling industry.

The public has called for changes to the monopoly held by Casinos Austria, which is regulated under the Austrian Gaming Act (Glücksspielgesetz). At the same time, a loophole permits smaller companies to operate under “small gambling” regulations, which limits wagering and the number of slot machines.

Sports betting regulations differ by province, with some provinces having no restrictions while others have restrictions on betting options, maximum bets, and betting hours. Online casinos are legal in Austria, but they are less strictly regulated than land-based casinos, which has led to Austrian players accessing off-shore sites.

Most Adored Games by Austrian Players

Live dealer

Live Poker

Craps

Roulette

Slots

Sic Bo

Baccarat

Keno

Multiple games have achieved the status of being a hot favorite by Austrian players. First and foremost, the lottery remains the most popular choice as it is legal in the country. A close second is sports betting. The reason is that it isn’t strictly regulated like other options. You won’t be surprised to know that Austrians are huge sports fans. They adore football and basketball. The non-regulation of sports betting makes love even stronger and more popular.

Austria’s Online Casino Scene

Austria’s gaming industry offers various options for players to enjoy, including online slot machines, poker, and Bitcoin games. Players can find slot salons throughout the country, and online casinos offer hundreds of slot games with different themes.

Recently, Bitcoin games have become increasingly one of the most popular casino games in Austria due to their unique gameplay and high-quality graphics. As the name suggests, these games require Bitcoin deposits, which aligns with the growing popularity of Bitcoin in the country.

Poker – Universally Loved Game

When it comes to poker, French regulations declared it a game of chance in 2013, leading to the takeover of several poker clubs. However, online poker remains unregulated, providing players with easy access.

Players prefer reputable game providers such as Playson, NetEnt, Quickspin, Evolution, Big Time Gaming, Red Tiger, and Yggdrasil, known for their HD games that provide a unique and exciting gaming experience.

Sports Betting and Slot Games

As sports betting and slot games are the country’s most popular games, the most preferred casino bonuses in Austria relate to those categories. Players prefer Free Bets for sports betting, while cashback and free spins are popular for other games. Loyalty programs offer players exclusive gifts, unique bonuses, birthday gifts, higher withdrawal limits, personal account managers, and more.

Payment Options in Austria

Credit/debit cards are one of the most popular payment methods, followed by e-wallets and Bitcoin, due to their fast and safe transactions. Other methods, such as bank transfers, prepaid cards, and mobile payments, are less popular due to their limited processing time.

Final Takeaway

Online gambling is very popular in Austria, with various options available to players. However, it is essential to choose one of the safe online casinos in Austria, set limits on your gambling activity, and seek help if you think you have a problem with gambling. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the excitement of online gambling while keeping yourself safe and responsible. We hope you found this post informative and helpful. If you have any other questions, feel free to connect; we will gladly help you.

FAQ

Online gambling has become increasingly popular, and it’s not hard to see why. The convenience of being able to gamble from home, with a vast selection of games and the chance to win big, makes online gambling an attractive option for many people. However, as with any form of gambling, there are important things to consider before you start. This section will review some of the most frequently asked questions about online gambling.