Regulatory AuthorityMinistry of Finance of the Czech Republic
License CostVaries
Regulation by Activity Type
Casinos
Regulated
Online Casinos
Regulated
Betting
Regulated
Online Betting
Regulated
Lotteries
Regulated
Poker
Regulated
Highlights
The Czech Gambling Act governs all gambling activities, including online and land-based operations.
Licensing is mandatory for all operators, with separate licenses required for each gambling type.
Recent amendments allow both Czech and foreign players to participate in gambling activities.
Operators must meet a minimum capital requirement of 50,000,000 CZK to obtain a license.
Strict player registration is required, including verified payment account details for all online participants.
Operators must implement responsible gambling measures, such as self-exclusion and player activity notifications.
Advertising of gambling is tightly regulated under both the Gambling Act and separate advertising legislation.
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Legislation
Primary Legislation
The core legal framework governing gambling in the Czech Republic is established by the following primary laws:
Act No. 186/2016 Coll., on Gambling (the Gambling Act) – This is the principal statute regulating all forms of gambling, including land-based and online gambling. The Act defines the types of permitted gambling activities, sets out the legal requirements for operation, and establishes the rights and obligations of both operators and players. It also addresses advertising and responsible gambling obligations.
Act No. 187/2016 Coll., on Gambling Tax – While primarily concerned with taxation, this Act is an integral part of the legal framework as it defines the tax obligations associated with gambling activities in the Czech Republic.
Act No. 40/1995 Coll., on the Regulation of Advertising – This Act includes specific provisions related to the advertising of gambling services, setting out restrictions and requirements for the promotion of gambling products.
Recent amendments to the Gambling Act have expanded the definition of gambling and clarified the participation of both domestic and foreign players. The legislation also strengthens responsible gambling measures and player protection requirements.
Regulatory Authority
Oversight and enforcement of gambling legislation in the Czech Republic are primarily the responsibility of the following authority:
Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic – This is the central regulatory body responsible for supervising the gambling sector. The Ministry issues and oversees gambling licenses, monitors compliance with legislative requirements, and enforces regulatory standards.
The Ministry is also tasked with the implementation of responsible gambling measures, the supervision of advertising practices, and the management of the national self-exclusion register.
The Ministry of Finance operates through its specialized Gambling and Lottery Department, which handles all regulatory, supervisory, and enforcement functions related to gambling activities within the country.
License Types
Types of Gambling Licenses in the Czech Republic
Land-Based Casino License: Required for operating physical casinos offering live games and bingo.
Technical Games License: Covers slot machines and similar electronic gambling devices, both land-based and online.
Odds Betting License: For fixed-odds betting, including sports and horse racing, available both online and offline.
Totalisator Games License: For pool betting, where winnings are shared among those who made successful predictions.
Lottery License: For operating lotteries, including numerical and instant lotteries, in both land-based and online formats.
Bingo License: For organizing bingo games, typically within land-based casinos.
Online Gambling License: Operators can apply for online versions of the above activities, subject to specific requirements for remote operation.
Application Process
Regulatory Authority: The Ministry of Finance is the primary body responsible for issuing gambling licenses.
Submission: Applicants must submit a detailed application, including company documents, business plans, technical specifications, and evidence of compliance with responsible gambling measures.
Local Representation: Foreign operators must establish a local branch or subsidiary in the Czech Republic to be eligible for a license.
Technical Certification: All gambling software and systems must be certified by accredited testing laboratories to ensure fairness and compliance.
Criminal and Financial Checks: Key personnel and owners must pass background checks, and the company must demonstrate financial stability.
Processing Time: The licensing process typically takes several months, depending on the complexity of the application and the completeness of submitted documentation.
Duration and Renewal of Licenses
Validity Period: Licenses are generally granted for a period of up to 6 years for most gambling activities.
Renewal: Licenses can be renewed upon application before the expiry date, provided the operator continues to meet all regulatory requirements.
Ongoing Compliance: Licensees must maintain compliance throughout the license period, including regular reporting and system audits.
Eligibility and Key Requirements
Corporate Structure: Only legal entities (companies) are eligible to apply; individuals cannot hold gambling licenses.
Local Presence: Foreign applicants must have a registered office or branch in the Czech Republic.
Responsible Gambling Measures: Operators must implement player protection tools, including self-exclusion, deposit limits, and age verification.
Technical Standards: All gaming equipment and software must comply with strict technical and security standards, verified by certified laboratories.
Transparency: Operators must ensure transparency in operations, including clear terms for players and regular reporting to authorities.
Licensing Costs and Financial Requirements
Application Fees: Non-refundable application fees apply, varying by license type and activity. For example, online gambling license fees are typically higher than those for land-based operations.
Annual Fees: Licensed operators must pay annual supervision fees, which are calculated based on the type and scale of gambling activity.
Financial Guarantees: Applicants are required to provide a financial guarantee (security deposit or bank guarantee) to cover potential player claims and regulatory obligations. The amount depends on the specific type of license and the projected turnover.
Operational Capital: Operators must demonstrate sufficient capital to sustain operations and fulfill player obligations.
Maintaining a License
Regular Reporting: Licensees must submit regular financial and operational reports to the Ministry of Finance.
System Audits: Periodic technical and compliance audits are mandatory to ensure ongoing adherence to regulatory standards.
Responsible Gambling Compliance: Operators must continuously implement and update responsible gambling measures as required by law.
Sanctions: Failure to comply with licensing conditions may result in fines, suspension, or revocation of the license.
Summary Table: Key Licensing Features
License Type
Duration
Application Fee
Annual Fee
Financial Guarantee
Renewal
Land-Based Casino
Up to 6 years
Varies
Varies
Required
Yes
Technical Games (Slots)
Up to 6 years
Varies
Varies
Required
Yes
Odds Betting
Up to 6 years
Varies
Varies
Required
Yes
Totalisator Games
Up to 6 years
Varies
Varies
Required
Yes
Lottery
Up to 6 years
Varies
Varies
Required
Yes
Bingo
Up to 6 years
Varies
Varies
Required
Yes
Online Gambling
Up to 6 years
Higher
Higher
Required
Yes
Gambling Tax
Tax Rates for Gambling Operators in the Czech Republic
Type of Gambling
Tax Base
Tax Rate
Odds Betting (including Sports Betting)
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
23%
Live Games (e.g., Casino Table Games)
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
23%
Lotteries
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
23%
Technical Games (e.g., Slot Machines, Online Casino Games)
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
35%
Totalisator Games
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
23%
Bingo
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR)
23%
Basis for Taxation
Gambling taxes in the Czech Republic are calculated based on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), which is the difference between the amount wagered by players and the amount paid out as winnings.
There are no turnover-based gambling taxes; all main gambling activities are taxed on the GGR basis.
Tax Reporting and Payment Requirements
Gambling operators must file regular tax returns detailing their GGR and the corresponding tax due for each type of gambling activity they offer.
Tax returns are generally submitted on a monthly basis.
Taxes must be paid to the Czech tax authorities within the statutory deadlines, typically by the 25th day of the following month after the taxable period.
Operators are required to keep detailed records of all bets, winnings, and payouts to ensure accurate calculation and reporting of GGR.
Failure to comply with tax reporting or payment obligations may result in penalties or revocation of the gambling license.
Tax Incentives, Exemptions, and Special Provisions
There are no broad tax incentives or exemptions specifically for gambling operators in the Czech Republic.
All licensed operators, whether domestic or foreign, are subject to the same tax rates and obligations.
Some minor administrative exemptions may apply for certain low-volume or charitable lotteries, but these do not affect mainstream commercial operators.
No reduced tax rates or holidays are currently available for new market entrants or specific game types.
Prohibited Individuals
Age Restrictions and Identification Requirements
The minimum legal age for participation in any form of gambling in the Czech Republic is 18 years.
All players must undergo mandatory registration before participating in online gambling, odds betting, totalisator games, and technical games in land-based venues. This registration process requires the verification of identity and age.
During registration, players must provide a unique identifier, such as a payment account number or another registered payment instrument, to ensure traceability and compliance with anti-money laundering measures.
Operators are required to verify the identity of every player, including checking official identification documents, before allowing access to gambling services.
Prohibited Activities and Game Restrictions
Online casino games are restricted, with only certain forms of online gambling (such as sports betting and lotteries) permitted under strict regulation.
Some specific gambling activities are only allowed within designated venues: for example, live games and bingo in land-based form may only be operated within licensed casinos.
Unlicensed gambling activities and participation in games offered by unauthorized operators are strictly prohibited.
Advertising and Marketing Limitations
Advertising of gambling products is subject to strict regulation to prevent targeting minors and vulnerable individuals.
All advertising must include clear information about the risks of gambling addiction and responsible gambling resources.
Promotional materials must avoid misleading claims about the chances of winning or the benefits of gambling.
There are restrictions on the use of bonuses and promotional offers, particularly regarding their presentation and accessibility to at-risk groups.
Responsible Gambling Requirements and Player Protection Measures
Operators must provide clear, accessible information to players regarding the risks of gambling, time spent playing, amounts wagered, and losses incurred.
Players must be offered real-time mechanisms for voluntary self-exclusion, including the option to temporarily exclude themselves from gambling activities. If a player activates a self-exclusion mechanism, operators are prohibited from accepting bets from that player for at least 48 hours.
Operators are required to implement tools for setting deposit, loss, and time limits, enabling players to control their gambling behavior.
Information about professional help for gambling addiction and links to support services must be prominently displayed on gambling platforms and in venues.
Operators must monitor player behavior for signs of problem gambling and intervene when necessary, including providing warnings and offering self-exclusion options.
Geographic and Location Restrictions
Land-based gambling venues are subject to local zoning laws and may only operate in locations approved by municipal authorities.
Some municipalities have imposed additional restrictions or outright bans on certain types of gambling venues within their jurisdictions.
Casinos and other gambling establishments must be situated at a minimum distance from schools and other youth-oriented facilities, as determined by local regulations.
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Timeline
Year/Date
Event
1990
Legalization of gambling activities begins after the fall of communism, with the first regulatory framework established for land-based gambling.
1995
Act No. 202/1990 Coll. on Lotteries and Other Similar Games is amended, providing a more structured legal basis for gambling operations in the Czech Republic.
2012
Significant amendments to the existing gambling laws introduce tighter controls on gambling operations, including measures to address illegal gambling and enhance player protection.
2016
Adoption of Act No. 186/2016 Coll. (the Gambling Act), which comprehensively regulates both land-based and online gambling, opening the market to foreign operators and introducing a new licensing regime.
2017
The Gambling Act comes into effect on January 1, fully regulating online gambling and requiring all operators to obtain licenses from the Ministry of Finance.
2020
Further amendments to the Gambling Act strengthen responsible gambling measures and enhance regulatory oversight, including more robust player protection requirements.
2024
Major amendments expand the definition of gambling, allow broader participation including foreign players, increase capital requirements for operators, and simplify the licensing process with the introduction of initial and basic licenses for different game types.
Requirements
Software Certification and Technical Standards
All gambling software and technical systems used by operators must be certified by an accredited testing laboratory to ensure integrity, randomness, and compliance with Czech technical standards.
Certification covers random number generators (RNGs), game fairness, payout percentages, and system security.
Operators must ensure that any changes or updates to the software are recertified before deployment.
Technical systems must provide robust protection against manipulation, fraud, and unauthorized access.
Operators are required to maintain detailed technical documentation and make it available for inspection by the regulator upon request.
Data Protection, Privacy Measures, and Server Location
Operators must comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Czech data protection laws, ensuring the secure processing and storage of personal and financial data.
All player data must be stored in a manner that guarantees confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with appropriate encryption and access controls.
Servers hosting gambling operations and player data must be located within the territory of the Czech Republic or another EU/EEA country, ensuring regulatory oversight and compliance.
Operators must implement measures to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyberattacks, including regular security audits and penetration testing.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) Procedures
Operators are required to implement comprehensive AML programs in line with Czech and EU directives, including customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, and reporting of suspicious activities.
KYC procedures must be conducted before allowing players to participate, including verification of identity, age, and the source of funds.
Operators must verify the ownership of registered payment accounts or instruments used by players.
Enhanced due diligence is required for high-risk customers and transactions, with ongoing monitoring for unusual or suspicious behavior.
Operators must maintain records of all AML and KYC checks for a minimum period as specified by law, and provide these records to authorities upon request.
Financial Reporting, Auditing Standards, and Record-Keeping
Operators must maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all gaming transactions, player accounts, and financial flows.
Regular financial reports must be submitted to the regulator, detailing turnover, payouts, and other relevant financial data.
Operators are subject to mandatory independent financial audits, with results provided to the regulator.
All transaction records, player activity logs, and financial statements must be securely archived for the legally required retention period.
Systems must allow for real-time monitoring and reporting of transactions to the regulator as required.
Technical Implementation Requirements for Responsible Gambling Tools
Operators must implement technical tools that enable players to set deposit, loss, and time limits on their gambling activity.
Systems must provide real-time information to players about their gambling activity, including time spent, amounts wagered, and net losses or wins.
Operators are required to offer mechanisms for temporary or permanent self-exclusion, with technical enforcement ensuring no bets can be accepted from excluded players for at least 48 hours following a self-exclusion request.
Systems must display responsible gambling messages and provide easy access to support resources for problem gambling.
Operators must log all responsible gambling interventions and make these logs available for regulatory review.
Gambling regulations are subject to change. The information provided on this page was accurate at the time of publication, but may not reflect the current regulatory landscape. Always consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before making any gambling-related decisions.
