Malta’s opinion delays Austria’s proposed online gambling reform
Regulation2 min read
Malta submitted a detailed opinion on Austria’s proposed online gambling law, delaying its approval process, according to the report. Austria must demonstrate the draft’s compliance with EU treaties by 7 December 2026; the proposal includes multiple concessions, website blocking and payment blocking against unlicensed operators.
Malta's government has decided to submit a detailed opinion on Austria's draft online gambling law, which slows the bill's approval process. Austria must now demonstrate by 7 December 2026 that the draft complies with EU treaties.
Austria notified the European Commission of the draft in August, and it amends the public gambling legislation and the Telekommunikationsgesetz 2021. The bill aims to counter the growth of illegal supply through a new system of multiple concessions, blocking of unauthorised websites and payment blocking against unlicensed operators. The standstill period was expected to end on 5 November.
According to the notified text, the Austrian government intends to move away from the current model and create a strictly regulated online gambling market. The draft introduces an administrative procedure to order access blocks on illegal gambling sites, alongside a published blacklist of unauthorised operators and information campaigns and warnings for consumers. It also provides for a system to block payments to and from illegal operators, intended to cut financial flows to the unauthorised market.
The government's explanatory report lists the aims as countering growth of the illegal online market, channelling more players to the legal offer, improving consumer protection and making action against unlicensed operators more effective. The government states that without the reform the illegal market would continue to expand. The document says the new provisions restrict the freedom to provide services. The government argues the restrictions are justified by overriding reasons of general interest. Austria also maintains that the measures are proportionate, non-discriminatory and apply equally to domestic and foreign operators. The draft states that the reform does not aim to expand the gambling market or increase demand.