Basic Law: Gambling Act

Czech Gambling Law No. 186/2016 Sb. (Act No. 186/2016 Coll., on Gambling) is the basis of modern offline and online regulation. It replaced the old "lottery" law 202/1990 Sb. and effective from 1 January 2017 (with subsequent amendments). The document defines the types of games, the conditions for their provision, the measures of responsible play and the powers of the supervisory authorities.

1) Subject of regulation and definition

The Act "regulates gambling and its types; conditions for their implementation; responsible play measures; and the competence of administrative bodies" (§ 1), and also directly extends its power to Internet games, even if the operator is abroad, but targets residents of the Czech Republic (§ 2 (2)). The basic definition of "gambling" is a bet without a guarantee of return, the outcome of which depends in whole or in part on the case or unknown circumstances; winnings - cash (with exceptions for some lotteries).

2) Game classification

• Lotteries (circulation/instant, including in-kind), Exchange rates (bookmakers), sweepstakes, Bingo, Technical games (machines/terminals), Live games (tables in casinos), Online games (remote via the Internet).
• Each category is accompanied by technical and procedural requirements (RNG/terminal certification, accounting, limits, etc.).

3) Licensing and Market Access

Operators are required to obtain permission from the Ministry of Finance (MFČR), comply with capital requirements, origin of funds, corporate structure, technical base, internal RG/AML rules and reporting. Foreign companies are allowed subject to local conditions (including organizational presence/representation, supervisory access to systems).

4) Responsible play and player protection

• Register of Excluded Persons (RVO) - a centralized database, access to which is required for all licensed operators; the exception can be voluntary or on the basis of the law (for example, social benefits, bankruptcy, etc.). The register is maintained by the Ministry of Finance.
• Age 18 +, identity check before admission to the game (online - before the first deposit).
• Limits and communication: operators are required to show the rules, probabilities/parameters of the game and provide self-control mechanisms (limits, pauses, notifications).

5) Online mode and extraterritoriality

Any "Internet game" aimed at residents of the Czech Republic (including a partial target) is considered to be held in the country - therefore, it requires a Czech license and compliance with all standards (KYC/AML, RG, tax accounting). This closes loopholes of "playing from abroad without permission."

6) Blocking illegal online and payments

The law provides for a register of illegal Internet games and a blocking mechanism: Internet access providers are required to block domains from the list of the Ministry of Finance within 15 days after publication. At the same time, payment control operates - payment providers are prohibited from conducting operations in favor of the "black list" of accounts of illegal operators.

7) Supervision, reporting and technology

• maintaining a register of excluded persons and a list of illegal sites, decisions to include domains in the "black list," managing the gambling information system and remote access to operator data (event logs, statistics, financial reporting) for supervision.

8) Advertising and Communications

Advertising of gambling is allowed within strict limits (age restrictions, prohibitions on misleading promises, channel/time restrictions), with the priority of RG messages and risk communication. In the case of online, the regulator combines the requirements of the Gambling Act with general advertising regulations and consumer protection. (Practice is outlined in current guides and clarifications of law firms.)

9) Sanctions

For violation of the law, administrative fines, suspension/revocation of permits, inclusion in the register of illegal games, blocking domains and current accounts are provided. The dimensions and composition of offenses are detailed in special parts of the act.

10) What is important for the player and operator to know

• Play only with operators listed as licensed in the Czech Republic; illegal sites are blocked, and payments and data are not protected there.
• You can enter yourself in the register of excluded persons and use the limits/pauses of legal operators.

• MFČR license, local compliance architecture, connection to state information systems and readiness for remote audit are required.
• For online - strict KYC/AML, storage and transfer of data according to the protocols of the Ministry of Finance, compliance with blocking lists and payment control.

11) Timeline in two lines

2016 - Law 186/2016 Sb.

2017 - entered into force; the "cleaning" of the market and the launch of licensed online began. Further - replenishment of "black lists," the introduction of a register of excluded persons (scaled from the end of 2020) and technological strengthening of supervision.

Act No. 186/2016 Coll. created a tough but transparent model for the Czech Republic: understandable categories of games, licensing with high entry barriers, strong RG mechanisms, online extraterritoriality, as well as a double "filter" against illegal immigrants - blocking domains and payments. For players, this means protected payments and control tools, for operators - predictable rules with high responsibility, and for the state - managed sewers and sustainable supervision.