PAYMENT METHODS AND ONLINE CASINOS IN AUSTRIA
Top Casinos and Best Banking Options for Austrian Players
When discussing major European gambling markets, online casino reviewers often mention Germany, the UK and Scandinavian countries and rarely Austria. Casino Banking Methods is here to correct such a ghastly injustice and dedicate a whole page to gambling and making deposits online in Austria. Being very popular in the country, gambling is a subject of strict regulations put into force by the government to maintain control over the market and curb possible gambling problems among residents.
Austria is known as the cultural capital of the world, but judging by the statistics Austrian people like to spend their time and money on simple pleasures and casino entertainment as well. Where do Austrians find the time, with all the skiing, hiking, coffee drinking, wurst nibbling and Danube cruising – we don’t know! But the facts are facts, and since you Austrians are so fond of placing bets on casino games, we are here to help you find the best online casinos for Austrian players and the best banking methods available in Austria.
Austrian citizens have access to hundreds of international gambling websites and a local site here and there, which makes for a wide range of options to consider. In general, Österreichische casinos are not hard to come by, so we’ve taken a closer look at what the market offers. While doing so, we’ve paid special attention to the banking systems that are supported and how do they measure up to the rising demands of Austrian online casino players.
Best Austrian Online Casinos
Many people in Austria enjoy taking part in gambling activities as a pastime, and the industry is thriving. Numerous casino websites are only a few clicks away, so accessibility is not the issue. It is quality what all of us are looking for. So, the next time you go online, visit nothing but the best Austrian casinos online for the most fulfilling experience. Don’t know where to begin? Take a look at our top selection below.
Casino1337
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C Apply- Extensive games collection
- Multiple payment methods
- 24/7 Live Chat
18+ | New Customers Only |
T&C ApplyTop Casino Banking Methods in Austria
Choosing a reliable and efficient banking method is just as important as choosing a reputable, high-quality online casino. To enjoy the real money gaming to the fullest, you need to make quick and painless online casino deposits. The best way to do it is to use high-rated, trusted online gambling banking methods. Which are those when it comes to Austria in particular? Keep reading, and you will find out.
Review & Best Casinos
- Premium option for Austria
- Wide acceptance at casinos
- Multiple security features
Review & Best Casinos
- A highly secure payment solution
- Great option for Germany, Austria
- Instant casino deposits
Review & Best Casinos
- Fast casino transactions
- Available around the globe
- 165 supported currencies
Review & Best Casinos
- A leading payment solution
- Maximum security
- Fast & easy casino transactions
Review & Best Casinos
- Fast casino payments
- Available around the globe
- Designed with iGaming focus
Review & Best Casinos
- Available around the globe
- Designed with iGaming focus
- Fast deposits & withdrawals
Review & Best Casinos
- Great option for Australia, Canada
- Instant deposits without fees
- Full anonymity
Review & Best Casinos
- Instant deposits & withdrawals
- Safe and reliable e-Wallet
- Widely accepted at casinos
Laws and Regulations on Online Gambling in Austria?
Austria poses for a unique landscape when it comes to perceiving gambling and approaching it as an integral part of society. The legislation distinguishes between “proper” gambling (gambling involving large sums of money) and so-called “small gambling”, or “kleines glücksspiel”. This category includes gambling with small bets. Therefore low-stakes card and table games, as well as low-stakes slot machines, are considered forms of “small gambling”. Certain Austrian states have their own laws, but generally speaking “proper” gambling is allowed in casinos only, whereas “small gambling” can take place basically anywhere.
Currently, gaming and gambling activities in the country are controlled according to the rules imposed within the Austrian Gaming Act (Glücksspielgesetz), which was passed in June 2010 and came into effect in 2011. This act is also referred to as the Law on Games of Chance (GSpG, for short). Gambling activities fall within the remit of the Ministry of Finance, which is also the responsible authority for the supervision of licensed companies. As of July 2020, the Austrian Tax Authority became a regulator of electronic gambling. Austria’s finance minister called for an independent gambling regulator to be established, speaking on one of the local television stations in March 2020.
In February 2021, the minister Gernot Blümel announced a wide-ranging revamp of the country’s gambling regulatory framework. The overhaul would include enhanced player protection controls, new transparency requirements, and the formation of a new supervisory authority. Activity against unlicensed operators is expected to grow stronger by ordering internet service providers to block access to such sites. A part of this will be a creation of a blacklist of unlicensed domains. These new regulations should face parliament and the laws are expected to be passed by late 2021.
In practice, the Austrian gambling scene represents a monopoly. Of the 15 available licences for land-based casinos, Casinos Austria AG holds 12, valid until 2027. The remaining three licenses were revoked. Österreichische Lotterien GmbH is the only one with a license for lotteries, electronic lotteries and VLTs. There is only one online gambling operator approved to provide local players with online casino and poker products, Win2Day – a subsidiary of Casinos Austria. Austrian citizens are free to join foreign websites, as access to them is not blocked by local authorities – yet.
Austrian Market Updates
- February 2021: Finance Ministry of Austria announces a set of proposals to reform gambling in Austria, including the establishment of a new independent regulator.
Are You Required to Pay Taxes on Winnings?
Good news – Austrian players don’t have to pay taxes on their winnings. The country’s laws mandate that the operator is the one who’s supposed to shoulder this financial burden. Professional gamblers, though, are an exception. However, it’s unclear how the government defines this. To be safe, consult an Austrian lawyer with experience in this niche.
As of early 2023, the tax rate for all forms of online gambling is 40%. Keep in mind that only net income is taxed, i.e. player winnings are deducted from the wagers. While the situation is certainly not ideal for Austrian online casinos, they do get to enjoy some perks. According to Sec. 6 par. 8 of the Umsatzsteuergesetz, gambling is exempt from the 20% VAT, making this a bit easier.
Can Casinos That Accept Austrian Players Be Trusted?
Each online casino player should always question the trustworthiness of the casinos on the web that comes their way. That being said, we believe this is a very important subject to address in each of our market presentations at CBM. As for Austrian online casinos we’ve been able to test and evaluate, they can be fully trusted. Starting with their license and customer treatment policy, across software quality and fair bonuses to dedicated support and convenient, locally-accepted banking, there is very little room for doubts, if any.
It is true that the online gambling market in Austria is dominated by EU-based operators and licensed operators not holding an Austrian licence. However, that makes little difference to an average player. Websites licensed in the UK, Gibraltar or Malta are catering to Austrian citizens at their own risk of being fined by the Austrian administration. The jurisdictions that do regulate their operations are doing a good job, nonetheless. Government efforts to strictly regulate online gambling activities are considerable. However, until a better national system of regulation is established, Austrian players are not falling behind other European nations in terms of joining reputable online casinos.
Best Casino Bonuses for Austrian Players
By now, you must be curious about Austrian online casino bonuses, right? The good news in that aspect, as well. Austrian casino bonuses online are out there, waiting – you just have to be clever enough to pick the right offers. Internet gambling sites friendly to Austrian traffic will not just welcome players from Österreichische, but also treat them with fair and beneficial promotions. Whether you choose to play on desktop or mobile, the bonuses will be equally available. Check out some of the best casino bonus deals for Austrians.
Arlekin
Welcome Package
40x (B+FS Wins)
Ongoing
€20/30 AU$
€10,000
Billy Billion
Welcome Package
40x (D+B+FS Wins)
Ongoing
€20/AU$30
10,000
Casombie
Welcome Package
35x (D+B) 40x (FS Wins)
Ongoing
€20/AU$30
No
Zotabet
Welcome Package
WELCOME
40x (B+FS Wins)
Ongoing
€20/30 AU$
Kryptosino
Welcome Package
Free
Ongoing
€20
Vegaz
Welcome Package
100FIRST
Free
Ongoing
€20
Richard
Welcome Package
40x (B+FS Wins)
Ongoing
€/AU$20
King Billy
Deposit
Free Spins
Not needed
30xB
Ongoing
€10
No maximum
Local Payment Methods to Consider
It perfectly clear to us that most players feel the most comfortable when they can make use of a banking method that is already familiar to them, easy to use, easily accessible and allows them to make deposits in local currency. Austrian audience has at least one local method that is well-supported by online casinos, and that is EPS.
EPS Uberweisung is an instant banking payment option that was developed by the Austrian government in collaboration with local banks in 2001. You can take advantage of the services offered by EPS if you are a client of Raiffeisen, Erste Bank or Volksbank, for example. Apart from EPS, which is one of the best deposit options in Austria, online casino depositors often use methods like CashtoCode, Sofort, Giropay, Trustly, UseMyFunds and also PayPal and Paysafecard.
Austria is tightly connected to other European countries, especially its neighbours. As a favourable consequence, Austrian online casino gamblers have a bunch of options for depositing and withdrawing money coming from various European regions. Banking options are so numerous that even cryptocurrency can be widely used for depositing. There are even ATMs in Austria that exchange Bitcoin to Euro.
Depositing with EUR Currency
It may be redundant to point out that the official currency in Austria is the Euro, the currency shared with multiple other European countries, such as Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy and the Netherlands, to name a few. Austria uses the full range of Euro coins and notes, but luckily you don’t have to carry them in your pocket to be able to deposit at your chosen Austrian casino online.
It couldn’t be easier to pay and play online with EUR, as hundreds of casinos have it as a major currency on the platform. Some casinos are even Euro-only casinos, requiring all transactions to be carried out in this currency. When you log in from Austria, you will see balance, bonus offers, and other rewards all displayed in Euros and feel at home.
Top Land-Based Casinos in Austria
Contrary to popular belief, few nations are as passionate about gambling as Austrians. Even though Casinos Austria AG has a monopoly on the industry, guests can benefit from it. It doesn’t matter which of the 12 venues you visit – they all share the same approach and have helpful employees. But who has time to enter all 12 venues? To save you the effort, we’ve decided to present the five best ones and highlight their strong suits. Get ready to put that Glücks card to good use!
Baden Casino
If you’re feeling lucky and want to try your hand at some classic casino games, the Baden Casino, also known as Casino Baden, is the place to be. Located in the town of Baden, Austria, this gaming destination has it all – from blackjack and roulette to poker and slot machines. In total, there are 200 slots and 20+ tables. But the fun doesn’t stop there – the Baden Casino also has a restaurant and bar on-site, so you can fuel up (or celebrate your winnings) while dancing with your loved ones. Just make sure you’re dressed to impress – the casino has a formal dress code. And don’t forget, you have to be at least 18 years old to enter.
Casino Innsbruck
Casino Innsbruck has been underrated for most of its existence. But once you visit it, you’ll probably start counting the days until your return. The best part about this venue is how it mixes different casino games to form a cohesive and thrilling environment. We can see this first-hand in the Live Table Games room, featuring 5 blackjack tables, 3 poker tables and one each devoted to Punto Banco and Hi-Lo, respectively. If you want to compete, the poker room offers three tables and an intimate atmosphere. Make sure you’re wearing a dress shirt and a jacket and that you have a valid passport/ID to prove you’re over 18.
Casino Graz
The best way to describe this brick-and-mortar casino would be as a scaled-down version of Casino Innsbruck. As we said, one company owns all the venues in Austria, so expect to see more of this subtle copying. But hey, who can blame them? Open from 15:00 to 03:00, Casino Graz is a small building but still manages to house ~150 slots and plenty of different table games. What makes this particular casino special, though, is its dedication to organizing poker tournaments. Adding multi-roulette terminals was also a great idea, as it saves loads of space. And in an exclusive location like this one, it’s at a premium.
Casino Vienna
Unlike other casinos on this list, Casino Vienna doesn’t try to market itself as a table game-centric place. Instead, they went all out on digital games. There are more than 250 slots, with each terminal offering the latest and greatest titles amongst Austrian players. Interestingly, there are 40+ electronic roulette terminals. Don’t worry, though, as live table games are still plentiful. American roulette, poker (table game) and blackjack dominate this section, but our favorite has to be French roulette. Not many casinos outside the Azure Coast offer this player-friendly variant. We’d love to see them add poker cash games, but the current offer is enough to satisfy even the most demanding guest.
Casino Salzburg
In terms of exteriors, Casino Salzburg is by far the most gorgeous land-based casino in Austria. But wait until you set foot inside! You’ll have a hard time finding a better poker room anywhere in the region. There’s a total of 7 tables, split between Texas Hold’em and Omaha. When you get tired of bluffing, why not try blackjack or American roulette? Don’t forget the slots either – there are 200+ machines, and they’re all state-of-the-art. You don’t have to pay an entry fee, but you’d better not show up without a shirt & jacket. Even though the dress code is formal, the atmosphere is anything but.
Most Famous Gamblers
Even though most people wouldn’t consider Austria to be a gambling hotspot, they have plenty of skilled gamblers in their ranks. Matthias Eibinger is by far the most famous of the bunch and currently sits atop the Austrian all-time money list with a whopping $12 million in career earnings. Constantly in the global top 100, this youngster is a headache to opponents around the world.
Thomas Mühlöcker is another name you should remember. He’s one of the most active poker players in Austria, sometimes participating in half a dozen tournaments each month. Through a mix of online and live gameplay, Mühlöcker amassed just under $8 million. His bread and butter are online WSOP events, but it would be unwise to count him out even at bigger live tournaments.
Fun Facts
There’s a big appetite for poker in Austria, despite the fairly limited amount of physical casinos. Vienna boasts the largest poker hall in Europe.
The national casino company, Casinos Austria, is one of the country′s most important taxpayers.
Europe’s first legal casino was opened in 1765 in Baden, Austria.
Novomatic, one of the biggest European gambling companies, was founded by the Austrian billionaire Johann Graf in 1980. He lived with his parents in Vienna and was a butcher in his early career. With his partner, Gerhard Brodnik, Graf started importing pinball machines and then established the Admiral brand for producing gaming machines. The 73-years-old Johann Graf now collects vintage cars and lives in Vienna. According to the Forbes list of global billionaires, he is listed at number 140 with a net worth of $10.3 billion as of June 2019.
In March of 2011 at the Austrian Bergez casino, an Albanian playing at a slot machine was convinced that he won €43 million – for a moment. Unfortunately for him, it turned out that there was a technical error. He decided to sue the group of Casinos Austria to which Bergenz casino belongs. An agreement was reached, yet the player was a bit disappointed because he got “only” €1 million in the settlement.
Apart from Novomatic, other well-known Austrian manufacturers include Amatic Industries, APEX Gaming Technology, Impera GmbH and Infinity Games.
FAQ
What is the minimum gambling age in Austria?
The legal age for a person to gamble in Austria is 18 years old. People under this age aren’t allowed to enter casinos and other gambling facilities, and it applies to online casinos as well. The only exception is in the case of lotteries, where a person can be at least 16 years old to take part.
Does Austria tax winnings from gambling?
Players do not pay taxes on winnings from online casino sites in Austria, but they aren’t allowed to write off their losses either. The operators are taxed on their gross gaming revenue, and they carry the taxation burden for the most part.
Are online gambling laws strict in Austria?
We wouldn’t say they are too strict, but they are protective. In the past, many have criticized the government for not doing enough for problem gamblers. Now that is changed with the implementation of the latest measures.
Can casino players based in Austria make deposits in Euros?
Certainly. Every recommended casino website offers Euro as a currency in which you can deposit and request withdrawals. Even if the website you have chosen is a multi-currency website, Euro will be offered 100% so that you can select it as your preferred transaction currency.
Do I have access to offshore casino sites if I live in Austria?
For the time being, yes. The Austrian government does not restrict or limit access to offshore gambling sites. As long as the casino accepts players from Austria, you can become a member regardless of where it is based.
What are the casino payment options for Austrian players?
There are many. Austrians can pay at casino websites with cards, using bank transfer, e-wallets and prepaid vouchers, among other options. At credible casinos, you will find multiple possibilities on offer, including Sofort, Giropay, Trustly, EPS and PayPal.