Malta delays Austria's online gambling reform until December

Austria's online gambling reform will have to wait, at least in its European processing, until December 7, 2026. The submission of a reasoned opinion by Malta has led to the extension of the suspension period provided for in the European Commission's notification procedure.

The official file 2026/0415/AT confirms that the deadline, initially set for November 5, has been extended until December 7.

The Austrian project introduces a system of multiple concessions for online gambling, accompanied by new tools to combat illegal supply.

Among the measures envisaged are the blocking of websites, the creation of a list of illegal operators and restrictions on payments destined for unauthorized platforms.

Malta's intervention is especially relevant due to its status as a European jurisdiction that concentrates numerous international online gambling licenses.

The Community file expressly identifies Malta as the author of the reasoned opinion, although it does not publicly detail the specific objections raised in its file.

The Maltese intervention does not mean the definitive rejection of the reform, but it does prevent the European waiting period from being closed on the date initially planned.

Austria will have to address the observations raised within the procedure established by Directive 2015/1535 before proceeding with the adoption of the notified provisions.