Online Gambling in Austria

Online gambling in Austria has a rich history. Some of Europe's biggest and most profitable internet gambling companies have their roots in Austria, even though their "official" headquarters are in classic offshore locations like the Channel Islands or the Caribbean. An example of such a company is bWin, which is an Austrian corporation with licenses in many places around the globe. The parent company of bwin has even been registered in the Vienna stock exchange since 2000.

Austria also gives licenses for companies within Austria to run online gambling sites, but there is a restriction in place that says the sites can only accept Austrian players. This reflects an attempt by the Austrian government to control internet gambling in their country. The government does not block online gambling sites from other countries either, so players in Austria are free to gamble at international sites if they wish.

Austria licenses Austria-based companies to offer lottery services and casino gaming via remote channels (Internet, mobile phones, and interactive television). Only Austrian residents are allowed to play at sites.

Austria views remote bookmaking services as an extension of state-licensed land-based operations. Both domestic and foreign-based license holders are permitted to offer services via remote channels.

Austria is one of nine European Member States whose gambling legislation is under investigation by the European Commission for potentially being over-restrictive with regards to EU free trade laws. Austria permits its licensed companies to advertise in the country but forbids foreign-licensed companies from doing so.

About Austria

Austria, also referred to as the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country of roughly 8.3 million people located in Central Europe. It is bordered by Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west.

Austria covers an area of 83,872 square kilometers (32,383 sq mi) and has a moderate and alpine climate. Austria's terrain is highly mountainous due to the presence of the Alps; only 32% of the country is below 500 meters (1,640 ft), and its highest point is 3,797 meters (12,457 ft).