Slovakia parliament approves liberalized online gambling rules

Slovakia’s online gambling market is set for a shakeup after legislators approved plans to scrap the local online monopoly.

On Tuesday, Slovakia’s parliament approved new gambling regulations that the Ministry of Finance originally announced this spring. Assuming Slovakia’s president signs the new measures into law, international operators will finally be able to apply for local gambling licenses.

The new regime will begin accepting applications for online casino licenses as of March 1, 2019, with license approvals to be issued starting July 1, 2019. Online sports betting license applications will be accepted starting July 1, 2019, but the licenses won’t take effect until July 1, 2020.

Online sports betting and casino licenses will cost operators €3m apiece, although operators interested in offering both products can save €1m by signaling their interest in applying for both.