If you are thinking of registering and playing at the top online casinos in Austria, there are a few things that you should consider first. In this article, we will explain all about online casinos in Austria. The information will help you determine whether it is legal to play at these sites. Not only that, but you will also have the chance to find the most reputable platforms. Let’s start breaking down the details.
Last update: 13 Mar 2025, 11:56
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The roots of the gambling industry in Austria date back to the 17th century. During this time, people enjoyed a variety of dice and ball games. Public places were even packed with players that were either participating or watching gambling games. As a result, Leopold I created the country's first gambling law, which stated that those participating in illegal gambling activities on the land would face charges. As gambling kept expanding, the country's first lottery, Genova Lottery, started operating in 1751. Austria's government took over the company in 1773, and since then, the Genova Lottery has been state-owned. Austria's massive expansion in the casino industry started in the 1900s. Here's a timeline of some of the most notable developments:
1934 – Casinos in Semmering and Baden open their doors to the public.
1938 – Austria’s government prohibits the gambling industry but lifts the ban in 1950.
1967 – The company that is known today as Casinos Austria starts operating.
1989 – Lottery and casino licenses are established with Glücksspielgesetz (GSpG).
2000 – Law changes allow casinos to operate every day, with the exception of Christmas Eve.
2012 – GSpG licenses are divided per city, and federal province packages are formed.
2013 – Poker is declared as a game of chance by the Ministry of Finance.
When it comes to the online casino industry in Austria, its future is looking bright. Here’s why – internet operators are currently legal, allowing them to hold proper licenses and offer their services to residents.
After the public criticized authorities for its lack of security measures related to online casinos, the government announced in 2021 that it plans to reform the industry. One of the biggest priorities is creating a new regulator. This independent agency will be in charge of enforcing gambling laws and making sure that players remain protected online.
Regulated online casinos are of huge benefit to both players and authorities. The country is able to collect tax money and use the funds for good purposes. On the other hand, players will enjoy massive security as they will only play at licensed casinos.
Combined with the fact that online casinos will continue expanding, it is easy to see that these platforms will grow in popularity in the upcoming years.
By now, we’ve determined that land-based casinos in Austria are legal. You are more than welcome to enter these establishments and play poker or other casino games. But what are the specifics related to online casinos in Austria?
Online gambling in this country is legal. That’s the good news. The not-so-good news is the fact that the industry has plenty of restrictions. First off, only online casinos that hold a license from the Ministry of Finance are able to offer their services to players.
Not only that, but these smartphone operators must be based in Austria and cannot allow international players to play their casino games and claim bonus offers. That is the reason why Casinos Austria has an international branch called Casinos Austria International.
Finally, the revenue of online and live casinos in the country is subject to tax laws, and operators have maximum limits related to time and stakes.
The deposit and withdrawal limits at Austrian online casinos Austria vary. Each site has its own limits. Laws, however, state that there are other limits in terms of stakes. According to GSpG’s Section 5, the maximum stake at slots outside of casinos is €10. Winnings are capped at €10,000, and players cannot play several casino games simultaneously. Additionally, there’s a time limit – games are required to shut off after 2 hours.
According to Austrian laws, if an online casino wants to offer its services to residents, it must possess a license. Licenses are issued by the Austrian Tax Office. Those that want to apply for a license must be in tune with the law and pay a licensing fee of €10,000, as well as €100,000 after the license is received. The validity period for lottery and casino game licenses is 15 years.
All licensed online casinos must partner with domestic and/or international responsible gambling agencies. Additionally, they must feature self-exclusion programs. That is how they protect registered players and make sure that they do not develop a gambling addiction. One of the most popular RG agencies in Austria is Responsible Gaming Academy. It represents a joint effort between Casinos Austria and the Austrian Lotteries Group.
There are tons of centres in Austria that players can contact if they notice that they are developing a gambling addiction. Some of them are:
Austrian laws are among the most strict in the world when it comes to online casino taxes. As the law itself suggests, the gross gaming revenue of every operator comes with a 40% tax. That’s quite a big number, and that’s why it is a massive challenge for operators to be profitable.
One of the biggest advantages of registering at casinos online in Austria is the fact that you can claim tons of bonuses and promotions. Many of them apply to your favourite slot games or poker games and can help you boost your potential rewards. Below, we listed some of the most common promotions that you will come across at these operators.
The first and most popular casino bonus that you will come across at a casino site is the welcome bonus. This is a one-time reward for newly registered players. To claim it, you must deposit funds for the first time into your account.
Immediately after you do so, the casino will transfer extra money to your account. Not only that, but in many cases, free spins accompany this match reward. When claiming the welcome bonus, you must pay attention to the terms and conditions. These may include wagering requirements, minimum deposit, eligible games, validity period, maximum bet limit, etc.
Next up, we have free spins – the most popular bonus for slots online. In most cases, free spins are no deposit bonuses. That means that you don’t have to top-up your account to claim them.
Free spins are only usable on slots. They can boost your rewards but keep in mind that they often come with several T&Cs. Some of the most common ones are maximum bet and maximum win limits, eligible slots, and validity period. The validity period of free spins is often 24 hours, so make sure you act fast when you claim them.
Both match and reload bonuses and deposit bonuses. The only difference between them is the fact that a match bonus will provide you with extra cash on your first deposit of the day. On the other hand, to claim a reload bonus, you must make at least 2 deposits on a specified day. Wagering requirements, minimum deposit, and eligible games are the most common T&Cs for these rewards.
The biggest advantage of a cashback promotion is that it is easy to claim. All you have to do is log in on a specific day. In order to become eligible for a cashback, you must play the eligible games for real money.
The casino will redeem a percentage of the amount that you lose within a certain timeframe. Often, the cashback percentage can increase depending on your loyalty status. Their simplicity is what makes them stand out.
Finally, we have loyalty programs, also known as VIP clubs. They provide the most loyal players with exclusive rewards. That includes birthday gifts, higher cashbacks, access to VIP tournaments, higher withdrawal limits, more free spins, etc.
Each loyalty program has a certain amount of levels. To reach a new level, you must collect points. You do that by playing the featured games for real money. The more real money you stake, the more points you receive. At times, you may even need to receive an invite from the operator itself before you can climb one level up.
Wagering requirements are the most complicated part of every casino bonus. They tell you how much money you must stake at the casino before you can withdraw winnings with the promotion itself. To calculate them, you must multiply the deposit that you make by the requirements themselves. Allow us to explain them by using an example.
Let’s say that you want to claim a welcome offer, whose minimum deposit is €15, and wagering requirements are set at x35. That means that if you wish to withdraw wins that you make with the welcome offer, you must stake €525 (€15 deposit multiplied by 35).
Moreover, you must stake this amount within the bonus validity period. The general rule regarding wagering requirements is that the lower they are, the better. It is important to note that not every game contributes equally towards wagering requirements. In most cases, slots contribute 100% towards wagering. Table games usually contribute around 50%. Sometimes, the percentage can go as low as 10%.
| Category | Casino Name |
|---|---|
Best mobile casino in Austria | Bluechip Casino |
Best welcome bonus in Austria | Fairspin Casino |
Best game library in Austria | Grande Vegas Casino |
Best secure online casino in Austria | mBit Casino |
Best poker site in Austria | Yolo Casino |
Best Bitcoin casino in Austria | Pirate Play Casino |
Registering at online casinos in Austria is very fast and simple. There are just a couple of steps that you must complete. The process will take just a few minutes of your time. After you complete it, you can enjoy various benefits. Since we are dedicated to helping you have a quality experience, we are more than happy to share these steps.
Estimated Time Needed: 0.05
Tools Needed: Account
Supplies Needed: Time, Money
Step 1
The process starts with picking a reputable online casino that features great services. You can browse our list of top-rated operators in Austria. Compare the results and take your personal preferences into account. Pick a site that is closest to your taste.
Step 2
After you make your choice, access the official website of the online casino. Click on the register button and start filling out the details. Our listed online casinos in Austria use SSL encryption. You can rest assured knowing that the information that you supply is safe.
Step 3
When you’re done filling out the required fields, there are two things that you need to do. First, confirm that you are of legal age. Additionally, accept the terms and conditions of the site. Click on Register and finalize the process.
Step 4
The final step of the process is picking a payment method and depositing funds into your casino account. Claim a casino bonus and use it to boost your potential winnings on the featured casino games. Keep in mind that there’s a chance that not all games are eligible for the bonus.
Each online casino features some advantages and disadvantages. The case is no different with Austrian operators. They, too, have a few pros and cons. Since we are keen on sharing as many details as possible, we feel obliged to share both sides of the story. Let’s check them out.
One of the biggest debates related to the gambling industry in Austria is whether you should play at casino sites or land-based casinos. Below, we compare the two options, so let’s see which one comes out on top.
Accessible at any time and place
Tons of available payment methods
A variety of deposit an no deposit bonus offers
Lack of social skills
Unlicensed sites may appear
One fixed location
Limited payment methods
Little to no casino bonuses
Boost social skills
All land-based casinos adhere to laws
1
Before we even think of testing the features of an online casino, we make sure that the platform is licensed. It also has to use the latest SSL encryption software. That is how we determine if a site is both secure and legal to operate.
2
Then, we read the terms and conditions. This includes terms related to bonuses, payments, limits, stakes, market restrictions, etc. We make sure that they suit players’ needs. After all, there’s no point in registering at a casino site where you have tons of red flags.
3
If everything checks out, we proceed to register an account. We deposit funds and claim a casino bonus. Then, we use the bonus to play the featured games. This is where we check how diverse the library is, how entertaining the games are and whether they are fair.
4
Finally, we cash out using one of the popular payment methods like Boku. We check language availability, whether popular Austrian payment methods are available and how effective the support team is. In the end, we use this information to form a conclusion and compare the results.
| Casino | Establishment Year | License | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
Fairspin Casino | 2018 | Curacao | Up to 100% match bonus + 30 free spins |
Tsars Casino | 2020 | Curacao | 100% up to €2000 + 200 free spins |
Yolo Casino | 2022 | Curacao | 100% up to €50 + 100 free spins |
Boomerang Casino | 2020 | Curacao | 100% up to €1000 + 200 free spins |
Lucky Elektra | 2021 | Curacao | 100% up to €500 + 100 free spins |
One of the biggest advantages of the aforementioned casinos is the fact that they have plenty of available games. They are created by the greatest game providers in the world. As a result, you can expect tons of in-game bonuses, great graphics and fantastic payouts.
Not only that, but you can enjoy them on both mobile and desktop devices. After all, they utilise the latest HTML5 technology or feature a mobile app. The gaming experience does not differ, regardless of the chosen device. Some of the available titles that you can play at Austrian casinos online are:
When listing the pros and cons of Austrian casinos online, we determined that the pros outweigh the cons by a huge margin. We want to double down on that. That is why we are more than happy to share and explain the advantages of playing at these sites.
First of all, only licensed operators can offer their services to Austrian players. Thanks to that fact, you can rest assured knowing that security is never an issue. Authorities in Austria are vigilant and always make sure that sites adhere to the highest industry standards.
A majority of Austrian casino sites utilize the latest HTML5 technology or have mobile apps. Thanks to that fact, you can enjoy their features on both mobile and desktop devices. The only thing that you need to make sure is that your internet connection is stable.
Playing at newest online casinos is all about entertainment. Austrian operators have diverse game libraries. You will have plenty of options at your disposal. As a result, your gaming experience will never be dull while playing the featured games.
Operators in Austria are required to partner with RG organizations. Stake limits, as well as deposit and withdrawal limits, also apply. As a result, they help you have fun but in the most responsible manner.
Before you even think of registering at Austrian casino sites and playing slots or other games, you must make that the casino lives up to its expectations. Some of the things that you should pay extra attention to include:
Meeting these standards is a must for every operator. After all, you should have high expectations of every online casino. The goal here is to have fun, and the casino can provide you with that only if it fulfils these conditions.
Safety and security is the biggest priority for every Austrian player. Logically, the casino needs to protect its users while they enjoy its services. There are two ways through which they do that. First, we have the SSL encryption protocol.
To check whether the operator has this measure, just take a look at its website. A lock should be present right next to the URL. Click on it to see the details regarding the certificate. Alternatively, you can look directly at the URL. If the letter “S” is present next to “HTTP,” then the casino is secure.
As for the license, the platform must possess it if it wants to offer legal and fair games, as well as conduct online transactions. Checking for the license is very simple, you can even do it on a mobile casino. All you have to do is access the official website of the operator and scroll to the bottom of the home page. The footer is where the license information is displayed.
Whenever you stumble across a certain problem at Austrian gambling sites, the customer support team will assist you in finding a solution. First, the operator must make sure that it provides you with several channels through which you can contact them (live chat, email, contact form, phone number).
However, there’s one additional important feature – available language. Since we are talking about a gambling site from Austria, it must offer its assistance in the native language.
Earlier, we talked about how Austrian online gambling operators will allow you to deposit and withdraw funds with a variety of methods. There are both fiat and crypto methods that you can use on these platforms. Below, we listed those that are used most often.
PayPal is one of the most popular online payment methods not just in Austria but in Europe. It provides players with massive security and fast transactions. Yes, fees apply to a majority of transactions, but that’s a low cost compared to its advantages.
You can top up your PayPal account with credit and debit cards and then use PayPal to claim bonuses and promotions and play the featured games for real money.
Klarna works in a similar fashion to PayPal. Just like all other e-wallets, its biggest advantage is the fact that you can stop payment if you change your mind. Additionally, the processing time for withdrawals with this option is very short. In most cases, you will enjoy same-day payouts.
One thing to keep in mind when using Klarna is to check whether you can use this method to claim bonuses and promotions. Sometimes, casinos restrict methods such as Klarna, Skrill, and Neteller, and you cannot use them to claim promotions.
Cryptocurrencies are a rising trend in the global online gambling industry. Not only do they provide you with instant deposits and withdrawals, but you will not face any fees. After all, the blockchain network allows them to be highly decentralized. No one has the authority to charge you a fee.
Bitcoin is the most popular and most commonly accepted cryptocurrency at gambling sites in Austria. You can also use it to claim bonuses and gain access to special games.
Finally, we have Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. They are the most commonly used payment method at gambling platforms in Austria. After all, research states that there are around 3.6 million credit cards and 10 million debit cards in the country.
Banks such as UniCredit Bank Austria AG, Erste Group Bank, Raiffeisen Zentralbank, and Osterreichische Kontrollbank AG issue these cards. Although Visa and Mastercard casinos are not as popular amongst gamblers as casino sites that accept Google Pay, they are still prominent options.
Although the laws in Austria make the industry hard to access, there are still plenty of reputable operators that offer their services. Players from this country can easily register at these sites and reap their benefits. Once you create an account, you can play various games and claim bonuses on your desktop or mobile devices. Registering at these sites is very fast and simple. All you need to do is access the official website of the platform, click on the register button and fill in the details. Keep in mind that you will also have to verify your account before you can make your first withdrawal.
Yes, according to GSpG, online casinos are legal in Austria. However, you must be at least 18 years old to access these platforms.
The laws in Austria state that if gambling is your only form of income, then you have to pay taxes. EU laws may also apply.
Although there are plenty of payment methods that Austrian players use to gamble at gaming sites, the most popular ones are PayPal, Klarna, VISA, MasterCard, Paysafecard, Trustly and Bitcoin.
There are plenty of casino games that you can enjoy at Austrian online casinos. These include online slots, poker, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, live dealer games, and lottery games.
Yes, almost every online casino site offers customer support services in Austrian. After all, these sites are specifically made for the Austrian market.
Yes, you are more than free to deposit and withdraw funds with PayPal. When you make these transactions, you should keep in mind that you might have to pay certain fees.
If you are situated in Austria, the laws state that you must only play at Austrian-based online casinos. Offshore online casino sites are not allowed to offer their services to players in this country.
