Online Gambling in Czechia
Background
Through the early 2000s the online gambling market in the Czech Republic was considered grey by international operators with limited regulation and oversight.
The first major steps to regulate the sector and raise taxes was a bill introduced by the Czech government in 2013, but it faced significant shortcomings. Chief among them were restrictive measures against foreign operators, widely criticised for being discriminatory and in conflict with EU free movement of services principles. Other issues included a proposed licensing process lacking transparency and consumer protection and anti-fraud measures that were broadly inconsistent with EU directives.
These shortcomings led to further legislative reforms, culminating in the enactment of the Gambling Act of 2017 (the Gambling Act). This new law replaced the outdated framework, introducing a more comprehensive and EU-compliant regulatory regime. The Gambling Act established a more transparent licensing system for both domestic and international operators, set clear taxation rules, and enforced robust consumer protection measures.
Significant amendments to the Gambling Act were passed in January 2024. Live dealer games were added to the closed catalogue of permitted gambling categories, largely in response to lobbying from licensed operators. Taxes were raised for certain categories (eg sport betting 23% to 30% of GGR) and measures around player protection and blocking of unlicensed operators were strengthened.
International operators’ response to the Czechia’s regulated market since 2017 has been muted, with many choosing not to participate.
Current Regulations
Online gambling in Czechia is governed by Gambling Act. The Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic (MFCR) is the regulator responsible licensing, taxes and compliance. Keys aspects of the regulations are summarised below.
- License Types: The Gambling Act covers various gambling categories, including sports betting, online casinos, poker, and lotteries. Operators must apply for a specific license corresponding to the category of gambling they wish to offer. Live dealer games were added in January 2024.
- Taxation: Online gambling operators are subject to a tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR), with different rates depending on the type of gambling. For example, sports betting and lotteries are taxed at 30% (increased from 23% in January 2024), while casino games are taxed at 35%.
- Technical and Security Standards: Operators are required to meet technical standards to ensure the security and fairness of their games, including the use of certified random number generators (RNGs) and secure payment processing.
- Player Protection: The 2024 amendment introduced the requirement for operators to offer a “panic button” feature for players. When a player hits the panic button they are blocked from placing any bets for 48 hours and offered the option of being added to the excluded player list.
- ISP Blocking: MFCR maintains a blacklist of unlicensed gambling websites and takes measures to block Czech player access to these sites in concert with Czech ISPs.
Dealer studios in Czechia
In October 2024, Evolution launched the first MFCR certified dealer studio in the Czech Republic. Complete with native Czech speaking dealers, the studio is located inside the Kajot Intacto Casino in Prague.
Major Operators
The Czech online gambling market features a mix of domestic and international operators, but the mix is skewed toward domestic. Major operators include:
- Tipsport: One of the largest and most popular domestic operators, offering sports betting, online casino games, and virtual sports.
- Fortuna: A leading Czech gambling company that provides sports betting, casino games, and lottery services. Fortuna is also active in several other Central and Eastern European markets.
- Sazka: Known primarily for its lottery services, Sazka also offers a range of online gambling options, including sports betting and casino games.
- SynotTip: Another prominent Czech operator offering a wide variety of online gambling options, including sports betting, casino games, and poker.
- Bet365: One of the few major international operators licensed to offer sports betting and online casino services (live dealer included) in Czechia.
Best live casinos for Czech players
Offering Czech koruna (CZK, Kč) or Euro account funding, Czech language site and support as well as the most complete range of live dealer games for players in Czechia.
