Best Online Casinos In Austria – Full Rundown and Guide
Austria is famous for its castles, landscapes, musical history, and chocolate. However, a part of Austria that hasn’t been given the proper time of day is its gambling industry. The country has been dabbling in games of chance ever since the 17th century and is home to some of the best and largest casinos in Europe.
But what about online gambling? Well, saying it’s popular would be an understatement since it’s one of the most common pastimes for Austrians. Even though the country is pretty strict with online gambling regulations, this industry still makes up a considerable part of its economy. Casino Chap took a deep dive into the country’s relationship with iGaming. We analyzed Austria’s gambling history, the gambling laws and even handpicked the best online casinos in Austria. Keep reading to learn more!
Short History of Gambling in Austria
A fun fact about the casino industry in Austria is that it dates back to the 17th century, with farmers and craftsmen playing different ball and dice games. Yet, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the industry truly started taking off. For instance, the lottery was introduced in 1913. In 1934, Austria saw the opening of its first casinos in Semmering and Baden. Even though the next few decades were a challenge on the industry, Austria persevered and became the home of the largest casino in Europe: Casino Baden.
Since 1990, both the online and offline casino industries have been booming, to say the least. In 2010, the Austrian government introduced the Austrian Gambling Act, which regulates the operations of land-based and online casinos. The Austrian gambling laws dictate that only Austrian-based casinos can apply for an Austrian Gambling license online, but they must be open exclusively to Austrian residents.
Gambling Laws and Regulations in Austria
If you’re wondering whether online gambling is legal in Austria, the answer is a short and enthusiastic yes. All gambling activities, including casinos and lotteries, are regulated by the Law on Games of Chance. For years, the regulation of casinos was done strictly by the Austrian Ministry of Finance. However, the Austrian Tax Office was added as a regulator in July 2020. The country is also in the process of creating a separate regulative authority to oversee all online gambling in Austria.
In 2021, Austrian gambling laws dictate that all online casinos must have a gambling license from the Austrian government. This entails that the casinos must be headquartered in Austria and only allow Austrian players. Moreover, the Austrian Gambling Act states that there are two ways of gambling. The first one entails large bets and is only allowed in licensed casinos. Small bets, however, are accepted everywhere, allowing for Austrians to play low-stakes slots in bars and casino games at parties.
When it comes to gambling tax rates in Austria, casinos pay taxes depending on the products they offer. For instance, there’s a 2% tax on all sports betting stakes, while land-based casinos have a 30% tax on gross gambling revenue. Online gambling and online lotteries come with a 40% tax on gross gambling revenue, and the tax on lottery games ranges between 2-27.5%. Lastly, slot machines and VLTs have a 10% tax on net gambling revenue, plus provincial gambling fees.
International Online Casinos for Players from Austria
According to the Austrian Gambling Act, an Austrian-licensed casino must be exclusive to Austrian residents. Online and offline gambling activities are subject to the national gambling monopoly, and if they’re offered internationally, they can’t be executed in Austria. However, that doesn’t mean that Austrian residents can’t play at international casinos licensed in the EU. Actually, many Austrian players turn to offshore casinos since their regulations aren’t as strict. These sites are often licensed by renowned regulative authorities, like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority.
Best Gambling Sites for Austrian Players
Are you on the hunt for the best online casinos in Austria? If this is the case, your favorite Chap’s got you covered! Our experts scoured the iGaming universe and came back with the best casinos for Austrian players. All the sites below have excellent game menus and juicy bonuses waiting to be claimed!
How We Evaluate Best Austrian Online Casinos
Wondering how we rank the best Austrian casinos? Well, we have a strict set of requirements every site needs to meet. Ranging from proper legislation and safety measures to an entertaining game menu and exciting promotions, here are our criteria.
Game Selection
First and foremost, we always make sure that our readers will be entertained. Hence, we pay special attention to the game selection at a casino and make sure it’s up to our standards. This entails that the game menu must be versatile and filled with quality titles. Every casino we feature on our site has an extensive game array covering all the major casino game categories, including slots, table games, and live dealer tables. Of course, mini-games like scratch cards and Aviator or Zeppelin are welcomed too.
These sites are powered by the best providers in the industry, like Play’n GO, Microgaming, and Evolution. Hence, the games shine with impeccable audiovisuals, run smoothly across all devices, and guarantee your entertainment.
What are some games you should keep an eye out for? Well, you’re bound to run into some legendary slot titles, like At The Copa, Immortal Romance, and Book of Dead. Some popular table games include European Blackjack, American Roulette, Texas Hold’em, and Baccarat Squeeze. Lastly, you can also enjoy live dealer variants of TV games, like Deal or No Deal and Dream Catcher.
Important Game Availability Information
There’s one thing to keep in mind when it comes to the game selection, however. Some providers that work in regulated markets only may restrict their games to Austrian players. For example, NetEnt has banned Austrian players from accessing its games. So, unless you use a VPN, you won’t be able to see them in the game lobby, even if a casino offers them. If you use a VPN and then win a big prize, you may not be able to withdraw the funds when the time for that comes.
Bonuses
Our experts handpicked the best bonuses at online casinos in Austria in 2021. Above, you’ll find a table with the best casinos and their sweet promotions. These range from exciting signup bonuses to juicy bundles of free spins for legendary slots. We only included bonuses from reputable and trustworthy casinos to ensure the safety of our readers. Moreover, we made sure that the promotions come with reasonable wagering requirements so you can keep most of your winnings.
Payment Methods
When it comes to handling your finances, online casinos Osterreich make sure you have everything you need. These sites incorporate all the major payment methods so you can top off your funds in the simplest way possible. Austrian players get access to credit and debit card payments, bank transfers, e-wallets, cryptocurrency, prepaid cards, and mobile pay. Popular payment providers include Sofort, Visa, Mastercard, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill, EcoPayz, PayPal, and Klarna. When it comes to crypto options, you should find all the top cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. If you’re looking for a native Austrian payment method, the top choices include SOFORT Banking, Trustly, and GiroPay.
All these payment methods are 100% safe and trustworthy. They have a standing reputation for processing your payments quickly and securely. So, you can rest assured that your funds and financial details are in safe hands. Note that we make sure the casinos we feature accept the Euro as a currency. By gambling using their national currency, casino players from Austria won’t waste money on exchange fees.
Safety and Security
Our top priority will always be our readers’ safety. Hence, every casino with CasinoChap’s seal of approval must be 100% safe and secure. First of all, the casino site should be properly licensed. We look for an Austrian gambling license or a reputable offshore authority, like the MGA or UKGC. We look for casinos that are protected by state-of-the-art encryption software, like TSL or SSL. Chap also gives extra points to sites with external certificates vouching for their safety, like eCOGRA or iTechLabs.
Support
We never want to leave our readers without a way to get help. So, we look for casinos that have a reputation for good customer service.
Remember, even though some casino live chats might be open 24/7, that isn’t always the case. Moreover, the majority of casinos also offer customer assistance through e-mail, phone, or a built-in contact form on their website. We also look for sites that support several languages, in this case, Austrian or German.
Mobile Gambling
The last item on our list is mobile availability. With mobile gambling being more popular than ever, we want to make sure our readers can enjoy casino action on the go. So, we look for casinos that are 100% optimized for mobile play. Sometimes, these operators have their own apps you can download from your device’s app store. Alternatively, some casinos don’t go the app route and choose to optimize their website. Thanks to the state-of-the-art technology implemented, all you need to do is type in the casino website in your browser and let it load. It should fit your screen within seconds and provide you with everything you’d find on the desktop version. However, be sure – the best online casinos in Austria will run on your smartphone.
Future of iGaming in Austria
When it comes to the future of iGaming in Austria, we have no doubts that the industry will continue to bloom. Regarding the regulations, the Austrian Ministry of Finance is creating an independent authority to regulate online gambling in the country. Though this organization doesn’t have a name yet, the Ministry does have an outline for some of the upcoming regulations that will come with it. For instance, the country is currently focused on creating a self-exclusion program to prevent problem gambling. Austria’s also trying out different gambling regulations, like maximum stakes, a players’ budget with limited monthly deposits, and time limits for the same cause.
Even with these regulations in place, Austrian players shouldn’t worry about accessing offshore casinos. Though international casinos still can’t get an Austrian license and operate there, Austrian residents are free to play on their platform.
FAQs
Is online gambling legal in Austria?
Yes, online gambling is entirely legal in Austria! As long as you play at a licensed casino that’s open to Austrian players, you’re not breaking any laws. Note that the Austrian government has a policy that ensures Austrian-licensed casinos are available exclusively to Austrian residents. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t also take advantage of offshore casinos that welcome Austrians.
Is playing online casino games safe for Austrian players?
Yes, playing online casino games is perfectly safe for Austrian punters. Of course, this entails that you must be playing at a licensed and reputable casino for everything to run smoothly. Your best bet is to play at one of the sites we listed above, as they’ve all gone through our extensive background checks.
Can gamblers from Austria claim online casino bonuses?
Of course, Austrian players are free to claim online casino bonuses. Every casino finds a way to pamper its players, so you won’t have to look far for a juicy bonus. Still, we advise you to choose a casino bonus from the list above since they’ve passed all our tests. Chap lists only the best online casinos in Austria.
What casino payment methods can Austrian gamblers use?
Austrian gamblers have an excellent myriad of payment methods at their disposal. First, you have traditional options, like credit and debit cards, bank transfers, or prepaid cards. Alternatively, there are some more modern choices, including e-wallets, cryptocurrency, and mobile pay. Whichever method you choose, you should expect quick and safe transactions.
Are gambling wins of Austrian players taxable?
No, Austrian players don’t pay taxes on their gambling winnings. However, the Austrian government requires operators to pay taxes. Sports betting comes with a 2% tax on all stakes, and land-based casinos have a 30% tax on the gross gambling revenue. Similarly, online gambling and electronic lotteries have a 40% tax on the GGR. Lastly, the tax on lottery games ranges between 2-27.5%, while slot machines have a 10% tax on net gambling revenue.
What is the minimum gambling age in Austria?
To gamble legally in Austria, one must be at least 18 years old. However, keep in mind that when you play at foreign gambling sites, their rules apply. Meaning, they may allow players 21 or older to gamble on their platforms only. That’s why it’s essential to read the T&C before registering an account somewhere.
Disclaimer: Casinochap.com does not encourage people to gamble. This is only educational information. Casinochap.com does not encourage breaking the law or avoiding taxes. Do your own due diligence before playing.
