Austrian Casino and Card Room Gaming

Founded in 1977, Casinos Austria International is currently the only company in Austria authorized to operate casinos under license from the Federal Ministry of Finance. The concession was originally granted in 1968 to Österreichische Spielbanken AG, renamed Casinos Austria AG in 1984. In January 2011, the Austrian Parliament approved an amendment of the new Gaming Law in Austria, allowing three new casino licenses. This marked the first time foreign operators were allowed to tender for casino licenses in the country.

In June 2014, the Ministry of Finance issued new casino concessions to Novomatic and to a joint venture between the Gauselmann Group and Casino Baden.

In addition to traditional casinos, Austria has electronic casinos and poker clubs that fall outside the monopoly. They are regulated on the state and regional level, rather than by national law. National law provides exceptions for certain betting activities, games of chance with low stakes and games of skill, which allows other operators entry into the Austrian casino market.

In May 2004, Casinos Austria AG and Austrian Lotteries launched WINWIN, which brought video lottery terminals (VLTs) to Austria.

Casino start-up requirements and operating regulations are strictly regulated. Advertisement of casinos is forbidden, and there are limits on and stipulations around the use of credit cards. Slot-only rooms are very common within the casino properties. In addition to casinos, Austrian racetracks also have VLT machines.

Table games are taxed on a sliding scale from 35% to 80% of gross revenues, while gaming machines are taxed at 48%.

In August 2006, new government regulations deemed Amusement with Prizes (AWPs) gambling machines, even if their winnings payouts were capped at minimal amounts. Due to internal criticism, the Austrian government amended the gambling law in 2010. It mandated that all machines be linked and monitored by the finance ministry and rolled out new guidelines. Machines are now permitted in all Austrian states, not just the four states that permitted them initially. Maximum stakes and payouts were increased as well.

Although operated by Austrian Lotteries, Casino City considers VLTs to be a casino and card room gaming activity.