Sports betting is fully legal and regulated in Slovakia under Act No. 30/2019 on gambling games and on the amendment to certain acts (1). The country has maintained a comprehensive regulatory framework for gambling activities, including sports betting, which has been operational since Slovakia's independence in 1993. The legal landscape is overseen by the Gambling Regulatory Authority, which was established on March 1, 2019, and began operations on June 1, 2019, taking over regulatory responsibilities from the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic (1).
The regulatory system requires operators to obtain proper licensing through the Gambling Regulatory Authority, which issues both general and individual licenses for gambling operations (2). This authority maintains strict oversight of all gambling activities within Slovak territory, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and protecting consumers. The licensing system covers various forms of gambling, including traditional sports betting, online wagering, and other betting activities offered both domestically and internationally to Slovak residents.
"The Office for the Regulation of Gambling issues the general licence and makes decisions on granting or removal of the individual licence, issues methodological guidelines in the area of gambling games, conducts supervision, imposes sanctions and executes other activities according to the Gambling act."
Slovakia's gambling regulation extends beyond mere legalization to include comprehensive consumer protection measures and responsible gambling initiatives. The Gambling Regulatory Authority maintains a Register of Excluded Persons and may contribute financially to helplines operated by specialized medical institutions focused on gambling addiction prevention and treatment. The regulatory framework also includes provisions for municipalities to adopt local regulations regarding gambling operations within their territories, providing additional layers of oversight and community control over gambling activities.
Source:
https://www.mfsr.sk/en/ministry/organisations-within-sphere-authority-mf-sr/organisations-mf-sr-chapter/gambling-regulatory-authority/
https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/online-gambling_en
Last updated: 15-09-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
