Legislation

Slovakia – National Council overrules President’s veto in Slovakia

By Phil - 1 February 2019

The National Council in Slovakia has overruled President Andreja Kiska’s decision to axe a new Gambling Act, giving the green light for the Gambling Act, pieced together by the Slovak Ministry of Finance, to finally be introduced and open up the online market.

Applications for online licences should now start in on March with the hope of opening the market in July.
In vetoing the bill, President Kiska said he had concerns over self-exclusion measures and how taxation would be spent. It had been approved by the Slovakian parliament.

Companies based within the European Union will be able to apply for online gambling licences covering online sports betting games and online casinos.

In many ways, the online part of the legislation has been amended to resemble regulation in other EU counties such as Denmark, Sweden, Romania and the Czech Republic, with a keen focus on consumer protection. Slovakia will offer fixed-odds betting licences for 10 years.

In terms of land-based, the new laws are a little more unusual. Slots halls will be limited to 15 machines but only one supplier/manufacturer will be allowed per slot hall, effectively branding the hall by the chosen slot supplier. They won’t be allowed to open within 200m of schools or medical facilities with refreshments via on-site bars and restaurants banned. They will have to close at 3am and won’t be able to open again until 10am.

A new gambling regulator will be set up within the Ministry of Finance, funded by gaming taxation.

Caption: President Andreja Kiska