Austria Federal Ministry of Finance Licensed Online Casinos and information on Austria Regulatory Body

Overview

Residents of Austria who are at least eighteen years old can engage in online gambling activities at licensed online casinos or other gambling venues. The main gambling legislation in the country is the Law on Games of Chance and the Austria Federal Ministry of Finance is the main gambling regulatory body tasked with ensuring that all licensed gambling operators conduct their operations by complying with the main gambling legislature.

The Austria Federal Ministry of Finance is also the main licensing authority meaning it issues licenses to both online and land-based casino sites. The Austria Regulatory Body also monitors bingo and poker games with the Austrian Tax Office. 

The same governmental authority is also tasked with monitoring betting facilities, while other authorities monitor horse race betting. When it comes to other gambling activities, including fantasy betting and social gaming, these are not regulated by the main gambling legislature. At the same time, the Austrian Tax Office and the Austria Federal Ministry of Finance monitor lotteries. 

Responsible for monitoring most forms of online and land-based gambling, the Austria Regulatory Body is also responsible for protecting player rights, combating crime and unlawfulness in the Austrian gambling scene, and battling gambling harm and addiction. 

Regarding preventing illicit and illegal activities, the regulatory body is mostly focused on preventing money laundering and organized crime in the gambling industry. The regulatory body has also launched several programs for consumer and youth protection.

The regulatory body is also responsible for developing and presenting models of best practices for cooperation between holders of gambling licenses and permits and different gambling facilities. 

It also works on creating uniform criteria for approving gambling protection facilities as defined by the Gambling Act, as well as the creation of a process for approving such facilities. The Austria Federal Ministry of Finance also ensures that all licensed gambling venues operate according to the 2010 Gambling Act Amendment and other local gambling laws and regulations.