Increased Taxes on Sports Betting in Austria
What has changed in Austrian sports betting taxation?
The Austrian government has decided to increase the tax on sports betting stakes. As a result, all sports betting activities (online and offline) are now subject to a higher tax rate, which operators like bwin are required to pay directly to the Austrian tax authorities. This measure applies across the entire industry and affects all licensed betting providers in Austria, not just bwin.
What does this mean for bwin customers?
To comply with the new tax regulations, bwin is required to contribute a larger portion of the betting stake to the authorities. In order to maintain a fair and transparent betting environment, bwin has adjusted its payout model:
- For losing bets, bwin continues to bear the full tax burden.
- For winning bets, a small portion of the gross winnings will be retained to help cover the increased tax (visible as an odds discount on the betting slip).
What changes will I see on my betting slip?
Your betting slip now clearly displays:
- Your selected odds and stake
- Potential gross winnings
- Applicable tax discount (only applied in the event of a win)
- Net winnings after tax deduction
Example:
If you place a €10.00 bet at odds of 2.00:
- Potential gross winnings: €20.00
- Tax discount (5% of gross winnings): €1.00
- Net payout: €19.00
If the bet loses, bwin absorbs the full tax amount—no deductions are made from your account.
Does this affect all types of betting?
The increased tax rate applies only to sports betting. Other products such as casino, poker, and virtual games are not affected by this change.