Best Austria Betting Sites

In the heart of Central Europe, Austria has been home to some of the most important names in culture and arts. Mozart, Schubert & Strauss have contributed significantly to classical music, while everyone has seen a movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Austrian people have also long been keen on sports. Football stands at the top of the fans’ interest, with the mountainous area of the country making alpine skiing and snowboarding also extremely popular.

As you might expect, since Austrians love sports, there is a high chance that they also love betting. And that is exactly right, as they can play in several international & local Austrian bookmakers, betting shops and land-based casinos. Each of the nine states has region-specific regulations for the Austria betting sites. The newly emerged Austrian Gambling Regulatory Authority is bound to set a uniform set of rules, so players know that they play in a safe environment.

Best Betting Sites in Austria

Our shortlist includes the sports betting Austria sites that topped the charts in odds, markets, payment methods & bonuses. You will find established and international bookmakers with years of experience, which allow you to bet on the Austrian Bundesliga and every prestigious European league.

Bet Austria - 5 Things to Know

• 1
  The German Bundesliga is a far more popular betting market than the domestic Austrian Bundesliga
• 2
  Over 50% of all online gambling takes place on mobile phones
• 3
  The legal age for gambling in Austria is 18-years-old
• 4
  Unlicensed international betting sites dominate the Austrian gambling environment
• 5
  Winnings are not taxed but stakes have a 2% standard fee

General info

⏩Population: 8.857.960

⏩Active players: 2.320.000

⏩Currency: EUR

⏩Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, betting exchanges, casino, lottery, horse racing, poker, bingo

⏩Operator types: Land-based casinos and online bookmakers, international operators

⏩Designated authority: Austrian Gambling Regulatory Authority

⏩Status: Semi-regulated

Sports Betting in Austria: The Law Framework

The law in Austria separates ‘’Games of Chance’’ like land casinos & lotteries and ‘’Betting’’. The latter is regulated by each one of the nine states, with minor variations. Until a few months ago, the Finance Ministry was responsible for regulating land & online bookmakers.

However, in 2021 the Austrian Gambling Regulatory Authority was formed to supervise the domestic market. It is worth mentioning that almost all online international bookies operated in Austria with no license until now. According to the former Finance Minister Gernot Blümel, the new governing body’s primary goals will be specific.

The main is combatting gambling addiction, money laundering, and blocking shady bookies from the ISPs. All these measures do not affect most players in the short term, and they can still enjoy that most betting powerhouses are open to Austrians.

Essential Information for Bettors

Betting in Austria comes with several local sportsbooks despite the country's relatively small size. Still, most bettors opt to join an international bookmaker due to the reputation they have. Higher odds, more markets and better bonuses are usually on the menu.

Since that, at least for now, there are no set fines or penalties; you do not have to use a VPN to use any bookie you want.  A good idea, though, is to know the provisions in your federal state. There is a standard 2% fee on all stakes regarding taxes. The good news is that winnings, on the other hand, are untaxable.

These percentages are not likely to change with the new law; however, a significant change could be a potential blacklist of unregulated Austria bet sites. In other words, if a bookie does not adhere to all provisions of the Austrian Gambling Regulatory Authority, then local bettors could be restricted from playing on it.

Betting in Austria: How to Deposit at Online Bookies

Fueling the bankroll is one of the main concerns of any knowledgeable bettor. In payment methods, the rule is the more, the better. Due to the lack of strict limitations in Austrian online gambling companies, you can use various options.

For starters, credit/debit cards from Visa & Mastercard are by far the most popular methods. Then players can deposit with wallets like Skrill, Neteller & Paysafecard. Local options like Sofort and Giropay are also widely popular with bookmakers since Austrians opt to pay with them extensively in land and online merchants.

If you prefer under-the-radar activity and instant payments, you can use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ripple and Ethereum if your sportsbook supports them. Alternatively, you can resort to some of the top usdt sports betting sites to avoid crypto volatility.

The Future of Austria Betting

Currently, the landscape in which Austrian bookmakers operate goes through a transitional period. The word is that the government will fully regulate the online market sooner or later. The newly created Austrian Gambling Regulatory Authority confirms that.

Some international bookies have taken the message and withdrew from Austria, and more might follow. A new, licensed betting environment for the player could be great news regarding safety, but trouble in variety. Grey bookmakers could be discouraged and step away from the country.

Ultimately, Austria betting sites that have been in the market for years will likely apply and get a license. So, until there are some official announcements, you can go ahead and keep playing on your preferred sportsbook.

Gambling in the Neighbouring Countries

Looking at the situation in nearby countries allows you to explore potential cross-border gambling opportunities and compare different regulatory frameworks. It also helps ensure compliance when travelling or engaging in online gambling activities in nearby jurisdictions. So let's take a look at land-based and online sports betting in some of the neighbouring countries:

⏩ Hungary:  has a legal sports betting market regulated by the National Tax and Customs Administration. Therefore, operators must comply with rigid regulations to be able to offer services to locals.  But this ensures you are safe and illegal activities are prosecuted when you visit betting sites in Hungary. 

⏩ Liechtenstein:  The government has established a licensing system for operators that offer gambling services. While land-based sports betting options may be limited due to the country's small size, online platforms provide a broader range of options for bettors. The Liechtenstein betting sites are easily accessible and do not require a specific license.

⏩ Switzerland: like its EU neighbours, has a strictly regulated betting market on all activities on its land. The government doesn't offer online gambling licenses and does not prosecute Swiss players who opt for international bookies. Though the list of the Switzerland betting sites is long and rich with choices, many bookmakers have been added to its blacklist.