Regulus: Up to 71% of Austria’s Gambling Market Is Illegal

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The illegal gambling market in Austria is estimated at around €500 million and may account for up to 71% of the country’s total gambling sector. This was reported by Kronen Zeitung, citing a study by consulting firm Regulus commissioned by bookmaker Tipico.

According to the analysts, the turnover of the black market ranges between €435 million and €616 million.

The study identifies the current regulatory framework — based on a state monopoly and a high tax burden — as the main driver behind the large share of illegal gambling. In particular, the monopoly online platform Win2Day, operated by Casinos Austria, covers only 29–37% of total demand, according to Regulus. The remaining players use foreign websites licensed in other EU jurisdictions or fully unregulated platforms.

Industry representatives warn of growing risks for consumers. According to Monika Racek, a manager at gambling company Admiral, more than half of Austrian players are active outside the licensed sector, where state oversight and player protection mechanisms do not apply. This situation poses risks to consumers and causes significant damage to the legal market, she said.

Austrian authorities are considering measures to restrict access to illegal operators, including website blocking and payment restrictions. However, market participants question the effectiveness of such steps. Online operator Lottoland warns that strict blocking measures could force EU-licensed companies out of the Austrian market and accelerate the shift of players toward offshore operators.

Against this backdrop, Austria is also discussing the possibility of controlled market liberalisation and the issuance of additional licences. At the same time, monopoly operator Casinos Austria says it estimates the size of the illegal market to be lower than Regulus does, pointing to the difficulty of accurately assessing the scale of the black market.