Until 2019, the state had a monopoly on online, now the market is open to foreign companies

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Key idea

Slovakia has gone from a strict monopoly on online gaming to a competitive, licensed market where private companies (including foreign ones from the EU/EEA) can legally offer online casinos and bets, subject to the requirements of local legislation and the regulator.

Until 2019: state monopoly online

The main legal online provider actually remained the state operator eTIPOS.

Private online casinos and international betting brands did not have full legal access to the market: the model dominated, in which the online segment was either closed or extremely limited for non-state companies.

Offline (casinos and betting points), the market developed under licenses, but online remained a "narrow neck" due to the monopoly.

Turning point: Law No. 30/2019 Coll. "On Gambling"

The reform took effect in 2019 and changed the entire landscape:

1. An industry regulator was created - Úrad pre reguláciu hazardných hier (ÚRHH), separated from typically "treasury" functions.

2. Access to the online segment is open for private operators from the EU/EEA: now you can obtain separate licenses for online casinos, online betting and other formats.

3. The licensing and supervision system has been reloaded: clear categories of licenses, registers, control and sanctions procedures, enhanced advertising requirements and Responsible Gambling.

4. The monopoly is retained only where it is explicitly provided (for example, state numerical lotteries remained in TIPOS's area of responsibility), and commercial online is open to competition.

What "market is open to foreign companies" means

Companies from the EU/EEA received the right to a license (if the established conditions are met).

Technical and compliance requirements: connection to regulator control systems, storage and reporting, RNG/game software certification, compliance with the rules of responsible play.

AML/KYC and advertising: mandatory age verification and sources of funds, self-exclusion tools, restrictions on advertising messages and their targeting.

Local commitments: Operators must ensure that local language support is available, that local dispute resolution procedures are in place, and that they interact effectively with ÚRHH.

Payment infrastructure: transparent deposits/conclusions, cooperation with payment providers, compliance with restrictions on payment methods and limits.

Transition period: "clearing the field" and building practices

After the launch of the reform, the regulator focused on building registers and practices:

White and black lists: a list of allowed domains and illegal sites is kept; communication providers are instructed to block "gray" resources.
Supervision and sanctions: fines and prescriptions are introduced for violation of licensing conditions, including for aggressive advertising and violation of RG policies.
Methodological guidelines: the regulator publishes forms, explanations and reporting requirements.

What remains for the state

Even after liberalization, a number of lottery products remain in the state's area of responsibility (TIPOS). This ensures stable social contributions and control of high-risk verticals. Thus, the model has become hybrid: monopoly - where it is important for fiscal and social policy; competition - where the market is able to develop effectively under supervision.

Impact on players and business

For players:

There are more legal online options - from slots and roulette to poker and live games.
Protection mechanisms have been strengthened: self-exclusion, limits, age verification, time and cost control tools.
Higher quality of services: local support, transparent payments, certified games.

For operators:

A predictable licensing procedure and an understandable compliance roadmap have appeared.
Competition is on the plane of product quality, UX, mobile solutions, local content and Responsible Gambling.
A regulatory link has been built: clear rules for advertising, reporting and technical integration.

Slovakia Today (by 2025)

The country has entrenched itself as a regulated but open market in Central Europe. The online segment is growing faster than offline due to mobility, live products and a safe ecosystem, and the regulatory model balances the interests of the state (monopoly on lotteries, social contributions) and business (competitive licenses for online casinos and betting).

Until 2019, online gambling was actually under the monopoly of the state.

Since 2019, after reform by Law No. 30/2019 Coll. the market is open to private and foreign (EU/EEA) operators, subject to license and strict compliance.

Everyone benefits: players - from safety and quality, the state - from transparent taxes and control, business - from understandable rules and competition for the product.