Publication date: 20 April 2026
A gambling license in Slovakia (Gambling License Slovakia | Slovakia Betting License Requirements) is a mandatory permit for operating a bookmaking business, online casino, and other types of gambling activities. The regulator is the Úrad pre reguláciu hazardných hier (URHH), which operates under the Ministry of Finance of Slovakia. The license is required for all operators working with local players. Online gambling is legal, but access to the market is strictly controlled.
More information about the iGaming market in Slovakia and practical aspects for affiliate marketing can be found in the article: Slovakia iGaming Overview: Prospects and Checklist for Affiliate Marketing.
Important: The information on taxes, fees and requirements is based on open sources and may differ from the official current requirements of the URHH. We recommend verifying the information with the regulator or consulting with local legal counsel before submitting an application. The information is current as of April 2026.
Amendments to Slovakia's Gambling Law 2024–2026
Gambling in Slovakia is regulated by Act No. 30/2019 Coll. on Gambling (Zákon o hazardných hrách), which came into effect in 2019. Since then, it has been amended several times.
Since 2024, requirements for ownership transparency have been strengthened. Companies are required to disclose their ownership structure, including all beneficiaries with a stake of 5% or more. This is tied to AML checks and verification of funding sources.
The regulator has also strengthened digital oversight. All licensed operators in Slovakia are required to transmit transaction and betting data in real time, retain history for at least 5 years, and provide access to their systems upon request by the URHH.
- Act No. 30/2019 Coll. on Gambling is in force;
- beneficiaries with a stake of 5% or more are subject to disclosure;
- mandatory real-time reporting by operators has been introduced;
- illegal websites are actively blocked.
Requirements for Operators to Obtain a License
Companies that meet the following criteria can obtain a license:
- a legal entity registered in the EU or EEA;
- mandatory presence of a registered office or branch in Slovakia;
- registration in the URHH regulator's registry;
- verified source of capital and transparent ownership structure;
- no criminal record for beneficiaries and directors;
- share capital: from €70,000 to €1,700,000 depending on the license type (according to the law).
Slovakia License Types: Betting, Casino, Poker
| Activity Type | Document Type | Validity Period | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online betting | URHH license | 5 years | Betting on sports and events |
| Online casino | URHH license | 5 years | High capital requirements |
| Poker (online) | URHH license | 5 years | Limited number of operators on the market |
| Land-based casino | URHH license | 10 years | Share capital up to €1,700,000 |
| Slot machines / gaming halls | Permit | 5 years | Strict limits on the number of devices |
| Lotteries and bingo | License | Up to 10 years | Partially regulated separately |
The current list of licensees is published in the official register of the URHH.
Prohibited Types of Gambling Activities in Slovakia
- Financial bets (betting on currency exchange rates, stocks): prohibited by law. This should not be confused with prediction markets, where contracts on event outcomes are traded. For more details on what a prediction market is and how it works, read the dedicated article: What Is a Prediction Market?
- Crypto betting: there is no direct ban, but AML requirements make it practically impossible.
License Fees and Gambling Taxes in Slovakia
Please note: The exact tax rates and fees are established by law and may change. Below is information based on open industry sources.
The basic tax rates are established in Act No. 30/2019 Coll. on Gambling.
| Parameter | Value (based on open sources) | Terms & Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| License fee | €10,000–€50,000 | Depends on license type; paid upon application submission |
| Share capital | €70,000–€1,700,000 | Must be established before submitting the application |
| Financial security | Amount depends on license type and activity | Determined individually by the URHH |
| Gambling tax (online casino) | ~22% of GGR | Monthly, by the 15th of the month |
| Gambling tax (online betting) | ~27% of GGR | Monthly, by the 15th of the month |
| Regulatory contribution | According to sources: 0.7% of the GGR component | For online casinos; monthly |
Technical Requirements for Servers, Domains, and Software
The operator must ensure:
- mandatory integration with the regulator's monitoring system (URHH);
- certification of RNG and gaming software in accredited laboratories;
- storage of player and transaction data: at least 5 years;
- a .sk domain is not required by law, but its use increases player trust and helps with local SEO;
- interface and support: in the Slovak language;
- server location: there is no official requirement for local hosting, but the regulator must have continuous access to the data.
Gambling Marketing and Advertising in Slovakia
- Advertising of gambling is permitted but with restrictions: targeting minors is prohibited, and warnings about the risks of addiction are mandatory.
- Bonuses and promotions are regulated: operators must not mislead players.
- Advertising on social media is allowed provided that age restrictions are observed.
AML/CFT Requirements and Anti-Money Laundering Measures
Anti-money laundering oversight in Slovakia is carried out by the Financial Intelligence Unit, which operates under the Ministry of the Interior.
- customer identification (KYC) is mandatory for transactions of €1,000 or more (according to the law);
- enhanced due diligence: for transactions of €2,000 or more;
- monitoring of all transactions and identification of suspicious activities;
- regular reporting to the URHH and the Financial Intelligence Unit;
- appointment of an AML officer within the company;
- retention of AML records: at least 5 years.
Responsible Gaming & Player Protection in Slovakia
The operator is required to:
- implement a self-exclusion system with a minimum period of 24 hours.
- check players against the state register of excluded players.
- register players with age verification (18+).
- provide players with the ability to set deposit and betting limits.
- display mandatory warnings about the risks of addiction on the website.
List of Legal Bookmakers and Casinos in Slovakia
Licensed operators in Slovakia include: Tipos (state lottery), Fortuna SK, Nike, DOXXbet, Synottip, Tipsport, Kajot, and MaxiTip.
The current list is published in the official register of URHH licensees.
A detailed analysis of the Slovak market, including tax rates, audience profile, and practical cases for media buying, is available in a dedicated review on 3S.INFO: iGaming in Slovakia: Prospects and Checklist for Affiliate Marketing.
International brands without a local license are blocked. According to open sources, the register of prohibited sites includes 1xBet, Bet365, Bwin, Parimatch, Melbet, Mostbet, 22Bet, Pin-Up, Betwinner, Leonbets, and others.
Register of Prohibited Websites and Blocking of Illegal Operators
The URHH maintains a public register of illegal operators. Inclusion in the register occurs by decision of the regulator. Internet service providers are required to block access to such websites, and banks and payment systems must cease processing transactions. You can check a site's status in the URHH register.
How to Obtain a Slovak License: Step-by-Step Guide
- Company registration in the EU and opening a representative office in Slovakia: approximately 1–2 months.
- Preparation of documents (articles of incorporation, finances, AML policies, business plan): approximately 2–3 months.
- Establishment of share capital and financial guarantee: approximately 1 month.
- Submission of application to the URHH and review process: approximately 3–6 months (depending on complexity).
- Technical audit and platform certification: approximately 1–2 months.
Total timeframe: 6 to 12 months (according to industry sources)
Reporting and Director Liability Toward the URHH
Directors and beneficiaries bear personal liability for compliance with licensing requirements, including AML, player protection, and tax reporting.
On a monthly basis, the following must be submitted to the URHH:
- reports on betting volumes and payouts;
- tax reporting on GGR;
- data for AML monitoring;
- information on player self-exclusion.
Violations can lead to fines, suspension or revocation of the license, as well as criminal liability for company executives.
License Comparison: Slovakia vs. Poland vs. Malta
Poland: private operators have access only to sports betting; online casino is a state monopoly. More details in our material Poland Gambling License.
Malta (MGA): GGR tax is 5% on the first €10 million, but capital requirements are higher. All the nuances are in the article Malta Gambling License.
Bulgaria: GGR tax is 20% (from 2026 — 25% for certain types). Bulgaria has a lower entry barrier. Details in the review Bulgarian Gambling License.
Slovakia: high entry barrier (share capital up to €1.7 million), separate taxation for betting and casinos, strict URHH oversight.
Penalties for Unlicensed Operations and Violations
Note: The information on penalties is based on open industry sources and may differ from current regulations.
| Violation | Sanctions (based on open sources) |
|---|---|
| Operating without a license | Up to €500,000 + website blocking |
| AML violations | From €20,000 to €200,000 |
| Violation of advertising rules | Up to €50,000 |
| Non-compliance with responsible gambling requirements | From €10,000 to €100,000 |
FAQ
Can a foreign company obtain a license in Slovakia?
Yes, provided it is registered in the EU, opens a representative office in Slovakia, and complies with all URHH requirements.
How much does a gambling license in Slovakia cost?
According to industry sources, starting from €100,000 including basic fees. When share capital (up to €1.7 million) and hidden costs are factored in, the budget can reach €2 million.
What is the gambling tax rate in Slovakia?
Based on open sources: ~22% of GGR for online casinos, and ~27% of GGR for online betting. + a regulatory contribution for casinos.
How long does it take to obtain a license?
Approximately 6 to 12 months: depending on the complexity of the application and the regulator’s workload.