Provider

888Casino

Online casino without an Austrian licence.

Online casino No Austrian concession

Provider data

Registered office
Sliema, Malta
Contracting party
Virtual Digital Services Limited
Licence
Malta (MGA), MGA/CRP/121/2006-09
Parent group
evoke plc
Products
Online casino
Austrian concession
no

Anyone who has lost money with 888Casino can reclaim that loss under Austrian law. The operating entity does not hold an Austrian concession, the gambling contract is therefore void and the stakes are reclaimable on the rules of unjust enrichment. The Austrian Supreme Court has confirmed this line in settled case law, most recently in 6 Ob 31/24p.

The operator and its licence

888Casino is operated by Virtual Digital Services Limited, based in Sliema, Malta, and runs an online casino for the European market. The company holds the licence Malta (MGA), MGA/CRP/121/2006-09. It does not hold a concession under the Austrian Gambling Act. Yet anyone offering gambling services to players resident in Austria needs exactly that concession.

How casino losses are recovered

Under settled case law of the Austrian Supreme Court, contracts between Virtual Digital Services Limited and players resident in Austria are void. The amounts paid in were transferred without a valid legal ground and are reclaimable on the rules of unjust enrichment (§ 1431 ff. of the Austrian Civil Code). The Supreme Court confirmed this line most recently in 6 Ob 31/24p. The limitation period is thirty years (§ 1478 of the Civil Code).

The group behind the brand

Virtual Digital Services Limited belongs to evoke plc. The group operates several gambling brands through dedicated operating entities. Which entity was the contractual partner in a given case follows from the general terms in force at the time of registration.

Our provider overview also lists the following brands from the same group: Mr Green, William Hill.

Jurisdiction and enforcement

Claims are brought before the Austrian court of the player’s place of residence. The Brussels I Recast Regulation is formally applicable to the enforcement of an Austrian judgment against a Malta-based company. In practice, enforcement on Malta is delayed or obstructed by the Maltese “Bill 55”, which is why proceedings sometimes end in a settlement. The settlement amount is negotiable in the individual case and regularly falls below the full claim. Commercial enforceability is assessed before filing.

What you need to start

For a free initial assessment, the operators concerned and an approximate total loss are sufficient. You do not need to gather documents yourself, the firm does that. A response from Dr. Peschel arrives within a few business days. Send a request or read the recovery guide in detail.

Legal basis by product

Online casino
Austrian Gambling Act (GSpG)

Provider data verified and continuously maintained. Updates are tracked in the provider overview.

Frequently asked

What players ask most often

What does the initial consultation cost and how does it work?
Free of charge and without obligation. You send us your list of casinos and loss amounts, we assess prospects, clarify funding options and usually reply within a few working days. A phone call is possible but not mandatory. Only when we agree on the mandate and you sign the mandate agreement do we start the actual work. Before that, no costs arise for you.
Are crypto casinos also actionable?
Yes, for two reasons: first, gambling with crypto stakes is subject to the Austrian Gambling Act because the element of staking something of value is met. Second, none of the typical crypto casinos (Stake, Roobet, Bitstarz and the like) holds an Austrian concession. Recovery follows the same rules as for fiat casinos. The additional challenge lies in enforcement, because many crypto operators are based in third countries such as Curaçao. We assess economic enforceability on a per-case basis.
How far back can I sue for losses at online casinos?
Unjust-enrichment claims arising from void gambling contracts are subject to a 30-year limitation period in Austria (§ 1478 of the Civil Code, ABGB). Losses from the past three decades are therefore in principle actionable, provided the operator had no Austrian concession during the relevant period. Documentation becomes harder the older the losses, because casinos only provide playing histories for a limited time. Keep old bank statements and operator e-mails, both help with evidence.
How does communication with the law firm work?
The mandate process is fully digital. You send us your loss list by e-mail or via the contact form, we review, get back to you with an initial assessment and provide the mandate agreement and power of attorney for electronic signature. In-person meetings are not required but are available at any time. For follow-ups you reach Dr. Peschel or his team directly, no call centre and no automated queue.
Am I committing a crime if I played at an illegal online casino?
No. Under the Austrian Gambling Act only the operator faces criminal liability, not the player. You therefore need not fear criminal consequences if you consult a lawyer after a casino session. There is also no tax effect from the gambling itself, because for private individuals in Austria gambling is neither taxable nor subject to a reporting duty. Recovery remains a purely civil matter with no criminal risk for you.
Will my name or playing behaviour become public if I sue?
No, we treat all names and all gambling losses confidentially. We do not issue press releases with claimants' names and we do not use client data for marketing.