New online gambling act passes in Slovakia

The Slovakian Ministry of Finance announced this week that the national parliament has passed new legislation that opens the online gambling market to foreign operators without the requirement for a Slovakian office presence with effect from March 1 next year.

Operators will, however, be required to have a registered communications representative in-country to liaise with the regulator and government as required.

The cost of a ten-year online betting licence will be Euro 3 million, with a similar amount levied if the operator wishes to offer online casino action. Operators who apply for both will be required to pay a discounted Euro 5 million for a five-year renewable licence.

Licences for online casinos will be issued from July 2019 with applications invited for filing on or after 1 March 2019.

A new regulatory body, the Office for the Regulation of Gambling, will have oversight of the industry, replacing the present arrangement whereby the Ministry of Finance shoulders this responsibility.

The Ministry has warned that operators who were issued with a Blocking Order under the old Gambling Act will remain blocked under the new licensing regime.

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