40 years of Österreichische Lotterien
Four decades after its foundation, Österreichische Lotterien stands for a strong and sustainable model that combines economic performance, reliable gaming operations, and a clear boon to Austrian society. In 2025 alone, it contributed nearly 707 million euros to the country and achieved the highest profit in the company’s history. Since its establishment, over 1,400 people have become millionaires (in euros). Over 5,000 partners ensure a strong presence throughout Austria.
The founding of the company on July 2, 1986, and the first draw of the “6 out of 45” lottery on September 7 of the same year, marked the beginning of a new era of regulated gaming in Austria. Right from the start, the company was in pursuit of a clear mission: to offer organised and regulated gaming in Austria within a reliable framework. Professional handling of gaming products, consistent player protection, transparency, and a strong commitment to regulatory objectives remain at the company’s core to this very day.
40 years of Österreichische Lotterien stand for the development of a company that combines economic performance with tangible benefits to society as a whole, embraces innovation responsibly and, with a workforce of just under 1,000 employees, works reliably for Austria.
40 years of Österreichische Lotterien in figures
Over the past four decades, a total of 13,927 top prizes have been paid out (defined as winnings of one million Austrian schillings or more between 1986 and 2001, and 100,000 euros or more since 2002). These include 1,420 prizes of one million euros or more.
The highest win in Austrian gaming history was recorded on March 28, 2025: one person became the sole winner of the EuroMillions’ Europot via win2day, at a time when the pot had been filled to its maximum possible amount… 250 million euros. A similar feat had already been achieved by another win2day user on December 8, 2023, when the maximum jackpot amounted to 240 million euros. The highest “6 out of 45” lottery win was recorded in Lower Austria on November 21, 2018, when a sevenfold jackpot resulted in winnings of 14.9 million euros.
In 2025 alone, Österreichische Lotterien contributed 706.9 million euros in taxes, duties, and levies to the Austrian federal budget – equivalent to an average of nearly two million euros per day.
In the same year, 927.4 million picks were recorded in betting slip games, while close to 48 million scratch-off tickets and 13.5 million break-open tickets were sold.
The “6 out of 45” lottery remains the defining classic: over the past 40 years, an average of 21 picks per second were placed – around the clock, 24 hours a day.
The distribution network comprises more than 5,000 retail outlets across Austria, complemented by 20 WINWIN locations and the online gaming platform win2day, which has around 1.2 million registered users.
Through the legally mandated sports funding system, more than 2.2 billion euros were allocated to high-performance and grassroots sports in Austria since 1986.
These figures tell not just the story of successful products, but also the continuous evolution of a company that has consistently adapted to new technologies, changing player behaviour, and evolving societal expectations.
Innovation as a driving force for the future
A key success factor is the responsible development of the product portfolio. This includes established classics such as the “6 out of 45” lottery, EuroMillions and Joker, online games on win2day, and instant lotteries such as break-open and scratch-off tickets. Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) were introduced at WINWIN locations in 2004. The launch of Austria’s first win2day Online Casino Studio in 2025, marked a new chapter in innovation that strengthened the legal digital offering and led to the creation of around 160 additional jobs in the Vienna area.
For Österreichische Lotterien, innovation has never been about outpacing market growth. Rather, it supports the safe, modern development of gaming products and player protection measures and thus the attractiveness of the regulated offering. Continuous expansion is always guided by a clear legal framework, the highest security standards and a consistent focus on player protection.
Österreichische Lotterien relies on a comprehensive protection system based on prevention, technology, professional expertise as well as clear rules and processes. All measures are tailored to the respective type of game and refined on an ongoing basis. In the digital environment, tools such as Health Check and the Mentor player protection tool support a conscious and responsible approach to gaming behaviour. Health Check, developed specifically for win2day, received the European Lotteries Innovation Award in 2024.
Responsibility as the cornerstone
A responsible approach to player protection begins as early as the game design stage itself. Every advertising measure undergoes a responsible advertising review in line with strict guidelines. Employees and distribution partners complete mandatory training and development programmes tailored to their respective responsibilities.
This commitment is complemented by an ongoing professional exchange. The regularly held Playsponsible Academy brings together international expertise from the fields of player protection, psychiatry, psychology, social sciences, and neurology. Employees of the Group, as well as representatives of regulatory authorities and advisory organisations, use this platform to remain informed about the latest developments in player protection and the prevention of gambling addiction.
Regular external certification audits in areas such as compliance, data protection, information security, quality management, CSR and Responsible Gaming review and confirm this commitment.
However, responsibility is not only reflected in protection systems, standards, and certifications. It also becomes visible wherever Österreichische Lotterien is present in everyday life: in the regions, cities, and communities throughout the country.
A nationwide presence with a strong regional impact
One of Österreichische Lotteriens’ key strengths lies in its deep roots across the country. More than 5,000 retail partners throughout Austria deliver the products to the various communities, cities, and regions. The network of retail outlets forms a comprehensive distribution system with a strong regional impact, particularly when it comes to reaching customers locally.
However, this regional impact does not end at the retail outlet itself – it also becomes evident in an area that connects people across Austria: sports.
Over 2.2 billion euros for the sports sector
Since 1986, more than 2.2 billion euros have benefited high-performance and grassroots sports in Austria. These funds have supported training opportunities, the development of up-and-coming talents, club activities, competitions, infrastructure, and the development of sports throughout the country. They have helped to ensure that sports can serve as a force for good within society as a whole: inclusive, unifying, and promoting good health. With initiatives such as Equal Play Day, Österreichische Lotterien, together with win2day, is also driving greater visibility for women in sports.
This commitment is further strengthened by partnerships in high-performance sports, including with the Austrian Sports Aid, the Austrian Olympic Committee and the Austrian Paralympic Committee. Support for sponsorship projects and initiatives such as Special Olympics and the Sport Austria Finals completes the portfolio of activities.
Creating benefits for society as a whole
Beyond the sports sector, Österreichische Lotterien supports projects that strengthen Austria’s cultural, social and societal diversity. One example of this would be the Lotteries Days. These initiatives turn Österreichische Lotterien products into tickets to the world of art, culture, and leisure, creating added value for everyone in that they make participation easier. Inclusive, barrier-free offerings and dedicated tours for people with disabilities highlight a commitment to ensuring that social impact is designed to reach as many people as possible. In 2025, the 200,000th visitor was welcomed as part of a Lotteries Day at Schönbrunn Zoo.
As an employer, Österreichische Lotterien focuses on professional development, diversity, work-life-balance and fairness. The company’s success is built primarily on its people – their experience, wide-ranging expertise and ability to operate and continuously develop a highly complex business model in a professional manner. Awards such as the “Best Recruiters” gold seal, the official “Beruf und Familie” (“Job and Family”) quality seal, and the Great Place to Work® certification underline its strengths as an employer.
This commitment is further reflected in the engagement of its employees. Through its corporate volunteering programme, all employees can dedicate up to five working days per year to volunteer activities.
A milestone with a clear message for the future
The track record spanning 40 years reflects the offering of successful products, essential contributions to the federal household, billions of euros for the sports sector, player protection at the highest level, a strong distribution network, comprehensive investments in innovation and security, and deep regional roots in Austria.
This is precisely the key message of this anniversary: Österreichische Lotterien stands for a model that creates stability, earns trust, and translates responsibility into tangible impact for all stakeholders, and this milestone sends a strong signal for the future.
Statements
“Anyone leading a company in such a sensitive market is well aware that trust does not automatically come with success. It is built when people see over time that a company acts reliably, follows clear principles, and takes responsibility seriously. Österreichische Lotterien has demonstrated exactly that for over four decades. This anniversary is also a commitment for the future: we will continue to demonstrate that economic strength, secure entertainment, and benefits to society at large can reinforce each other – to the advantage of Austria.
Erwin van Lambaart, Director General, Österreichische Lotterien
“The true quality of a company becomes most apparent when markets, technologies and customer expectations are in motion. The strength of Österreichische Lotterien lies in its reliability – driven by high-performing teams, strong expertise, and consistent investments in security, quality, and modern infrastructure. This is how Österreichische Lotterien creates stability and provides what sustainable success in a regulated environment ultimately requires: a strong foundation.”
Martin Škopek, Director of the Managing Board, Österreichische Lotterien
“Technological progress opens up enormous opportunities – what matters is how we use it. New technologies enable us to create attractive and modern offerings while continuously enhancing player protection measures. Digitalisation and advanced analytics allow prevention to take place at a more individual level, making it more effective than ever before. Our ambition is to leverage the opportunities of innovation while always placing people at the centre, so that innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand.”
Andreas Bierwirth, Director of the Managing Board, Österreichische Lotterien
“Österreichische Lotterien demonstrate what defines a strong lottery operation: regional roots, clear principles, and the ability to keep evolving on an ongoing basis. 40 years of success in a regulated market do not happen by chance – they are the result of quality, discipline, and long-term thinking. Within Allwyn, Österreichische Lotterien represents a powerful example of how innovation, reliability, and social value can go hand in hand.”
Robert Chvátal, CEO, Allwyn
“From a shareholder perspective, what matters is whether a company delivers lasting impact – economically, institutionally, and with regard to society as a whole. For 40 years, Österreichische Lotterien has embodied this connection: it stands for economic performance within a clear regulatory framework, for high-level player protection and tangible benefits for Austria. This reliability is of exceptional value especially when it comes to a sensitive sector such as this one.”
Edith Hlawati, CEO, ÖBAG
Vienna, July 1st, 2026