Crypto Casino
Torrent Gear
Comparison with Poland and Slovakia
Key takeaways in one look
Czech Republic: an open but strictly regulated market with a differentiated tax of 23-35% of GGR (depending on the type of game), a full-fledged blocking system and a developed RG circuit.
Poland: a tough model with a monopoly on online casinos (Total Casino/Totalizator Sportowy), a private betting market and a sales tax for betting; strict advertising restrictions and active blocking of gray sites.
Slovakia: liberalized online segment with licenses for private operators and taxation from GGR at the level of moderate values for the EU; blocking and RG requirements are increased, advertising is regulated, but less strictly than in Poland.
1) Regulatory model and licensing
Czech Republic
Basic law: Act No. 186/2016 Coll.
Licenses are available to both local and international operators (through local structures and compliance with specific requirements).
All major verticals (casino, slots, betting, poker, lotteries) are legal with a license.
Poland
Online casino - state monopoly (Totalizator Sportowy/Total Casino).
Sports betting - licensed to private companies (strict admission conditions).
A wide range of restrictions (advertising, promo, sponsorship), active fight against illegal sites.
Slovakia
The 2019 law opened online casinos and other verticals to private operators (subject to compliance).
Sportbetting and casinos are licensed; the regulator tightens control over marketing and responsible gambling.
2) Taxes and fiscal burden
Czech Republic: special tax from GGR with differentiation:- About 23% GGR - for "less risky" verticals (including rates).
- About 35% of GGR is for "technical games" (slots/machines, their online counterparts).
- Plus the standard corporate income tax (CIT) - after the special tax.
Poland: a mixed approach, where the key role is played by the turnover tax on rates (turnover-tax), which raises the margin threshold for betting; online casino - monopoly (the total load is determined within the monopoly model). For private operators, the resulting rate economics are often less flexible due to the "revolving" nature of the tax.
Slovakia: tax from GGR (according to the main verticals - at the level of moderate values for the EU), which makes the unit economy more predictable for private online operators than the Polish turnover tax in rates, but without such a sharp differentiation as Czech 23/35%.
Practical effect for P&L:- In the Czech Republic, it is important to correctly classify the vertical (23% vs 35%) and design the GGR bridge on a monthly basis.
- In Poland, the rate margin is more dependent on the sales tax and line/live (pricing, limits).
- In Slovakia, the GGR base facilitates promo/bonus planning and NGR control.
3) Lockdowns and the fight against the "gray" market
Czech Republic: centralized blacklist of the Ministry of Finance; DNS/IP blocking, payment blocking, fines for affiliates and advertising intermediaries.
Poland: one of the toughest blocking systems in the region (domain registries, payment restrictions), active fines and law enforcement.
Slovakia: there are mechanisms for blocking and suppressing advertising of unlicensed sites; focus on monitoring mirrors and messenger channels.
4) Advertising, marketing, sponsorship
Czech Republic: advertising is permissible under the license, but with increasing restrictions (responsible messages, prohibition of targeting vulnerable groups, requirements for creativity).
Poland: the most stringent regime is significant limits on advertising and sponsorship, a high risk of sanctions for violations.
Slovakia: advertising regulation is present, but more flexible than in Poland; trend - for gradual tightening (transparency, RG disclaimers, channel and time restrictions).
5) Payments and financial monitoring
Czech Republic: blocking payments to unlicensed domains; mandatory KYC/AML, limit/pattern monitoring.
Poland: strict KYC/AML, transaction control and method restriction for gray operators.
Slovakia: EU KYC/AML standard; banks and fintechs are involved in suppressing payments to unlicensed sites.
6) Responsible play (RG) and technology requirements
Czech Republic: developed RG circuit (self-exclusion, deposit/time limits, behavioral triggers, telemetry storage, RTP/mathematics audit).
Poland: emphasis on restricting availability, advertising and controlling player entry; the state reduces the exposure of the population to risk through monopoly and strict rules.
Slovakia: quickly tightens RG requirements (registers of self-exclusion, risk metrics, transparency of bonuses), the role of behavioral analytics is growing.
7) Market Economics and Positioning
Czech Republic: predictable investment model with understandable rates from GGR; attractive to portfolio operators ready for rigorous compliance and reporting.
Poland: high protection from "gray" operators, but low competition in online casinos due to monopoly; the bet is on stability and control, not on the diversity of supply.
Slovakia: balance between liberalization and control; convenient tax base for building long-term online P&L, growing competition.
8) What does this mean for the operator/provider
Casino/slot operator:- Czech Republic: a full-fledged exit is possible subject to high technical requirements; it is important to manage RTP/volatility and bonus-bone under 35% GGR for "tech games."
- Poland: self-launch of online casinos is impossible (monopoly); focus - B2B models, content delivery, partnerships or betting.
- Slovakia: full launch of online casino realistic; baseload from GGR makes the economy more transparent.
- Czech Republic: 23% GGR is the working rate, but discipline is needed in line margin and RG processes.
- Poland: turnover tax complicates unit economy; pricing, limits, anti-arbitration are critical.
- Slovakia: GGR base simplifies promo and hold planning.
- Czech Republic/Slovakia: demand for certified RNG, live content, RG tools and reporting.
- Poland: meanings - B2B for monopoly and for betting operators; content - with a focus on responsible UX and ad compliance.
9) Forecast to 2030
Czech Republic: will maintain differentiation of 23-35% GGR, strengthen RG algorithms and advertising control; predictable investment climate.
Poland: Likely to hold online casino monopoly and strict advertising rules; for private companies - focus on rates and offline niches.
Slovakia: will gradually increase oversight of marketing and payments, but retain a liberal online casino licensing model; competition and product quality will increase.
Bottom line:
- The Czech Republic is the "golden mean" between tough Poland and the more liberal Slovakia. For a holding with a multi-portfolio, a strategy is optimal: the Czech Republic and Slovakia - as bases for scalable online growth (GGR taxes and predictability of P&L), Poland - as a disciplined market with rates and B2B capabilities, taking into account monopoly and strict advertising restrictions.