Until June 2010 Austria's gambling industry was closed to
operators from other EU nations. All 11 casino concessions were granted to
the largely state owned monopoly
Casinos Austria AG, who in partnership with
Österreichische Lotterien
operated the only sanctioned online casino - Win2Day.
Following pressure from the European Commission to change
licensing and regulations to be more compliant with EU
law, the Austrian government amended the Glückspielgesetz in June to allow
for 3 new licenses to be granted to operators based in other EU countries.
But the law still requires that those operators hold a corporate seat in Austria
for their license bid to be successful.
In September 2010, the European Court of Justice ("ECJ"),
found Austria's gaming laws to be a violation of EU freedom of services laws and
discriminatory against other EU operators. While the case being adjudicated
dealt specifically with the pre-June Glückspielgesetz, commentators have said
that the ruling still clearly confirmed that the current requirement for EU
licensed online operators to be physically present in Austria in order to be
able to market an online casino there was inconsistent with EU law.
So back to the drawing board for Austrian lawmakers perhaps.
Regardless of legislative uncertainties for operators, nothing in the
Glückspielgesetz prevents players from choosing a non-Austrian online casino and
there are many that tailor their service to Austrians.
Casinos |
Player access |
Banking |
Toll free support |
Local language |
Games |
Read review I
Visit
|
No restrictions on sign -ups from
Austria |
No deposit restrictions.
Maintain account in € EURO |
Yes |
Full Deutsche language website and
support capability |
European based dealer room with Euro
centric games |
Read review I
Visit
|
No restrictions on Austrian player
sign-ups |
No deposit restrictions.
Maintain account in € EURO |
Yes |
Full German language website and
support capability |
European based dealer room with Euro
centric games |
Read review I
Visit
|
No restrictions on Austrian player
sign-ups |
No deposit restrictions.
Maintain account in € EURO |
Yes |
Full German language website and
support capability |
Asian based dealer studio
including blackjack, baccarat, roulette and baccarat variations. |
You'll need to install Flash to view this map
