Key Moments:
- Slovakia’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (ÚRHH) added consumer protection to its responsibilities beginning January 1, with a new department established from February 1, 2026.
- In the most recent year, Slovakia’s gambling market achieved €1.55 billion in gross gaming revenue, representing a 7.2% increase over 2024.
- The innovative “Gambling Without Myths and Illusions” educational initiative received international recognition at the Global Regulatory Awards 2025.
Regulator Expands Mandate to Prioritize Consumer Protection
The Gambling Regulatory Authority (ÚRHH) in Slovakia has widened its focus to include consumer protection, in addition to its ongoing technical oversight. According to Director General Libuša Baranová, an organizational shift implemented on February 1, 2026, has created a dedicated unit for supervising consumer protection efforts. This unit’s responsibilities are structured into three primary areas: establishing clear communication guidelines between players and operators, directly monitoring industry practices both offline and online, and enforcing compliance by imposing fines or sanctions for violations of the Consumer Protection Act. The agency’s efforts will address questionable commercial tactics, unfair contractual terms, and breaches of public morality, with particular scrutiny of advertising and marketing conduct.
Through this expanded mandate, the state has signaled its commitment not only to technical standards but also the ethical aspects of the gambling sector’s business practices.
Outlook on Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Supervision
Baranová shared that while Slovakia’s regulator is observing the European Commission’s recently adopted AI regulation, there are no immediate plans for the Authority to deploy AI tools for identifying problem gambling. The lack of access to individual player data places the burden of early detection on gambling operators, who have the technical capacity to monitor player behaviors in real time. Instead, the Authority will focus on overseeing ethical technology usage and ensuring that AI is not exploited for aggressive business practices or abuses of consumer rights.
Positioning Within the European Regulatory Context
Slovakia’s regulatory environment has evolved with the creation of ÚRHH, and now aims to strike a balance between market openness and societal protection. The gambling sector remains subject to national discretion within the European Union’s framework, allowing Slovakia to impose relatively heavy taxes and maintain high entry barriers while providing open licenses for private online operators. This approach incorporates measures such as responsible gaming tools and strict sanctions for illicit gambling activities.
While the exact proportion of illegal gambling in Slovakia is unknown due to the lack of official statistics and technical challenges, it is suspected to be significant. The migration of players from brick-and-mortar venues to online platforms has increased exposure to unlicensed operators, who make heavy use of social media to target vulnerable users, including minors, often circumventing responsible gambling controls and exclusion registers.
Industry Engagement and Educational Efforts
The Authority emphasizes collaboration with other national and European regulators, as well as gambling operators, to develop clear and enforceable rules. An example of this cooperation is the Code of Responsible Advertising in the Field of Gambling, whose self-regulatory provisions have proven effective, with plans to embed them into the formal consumer protection oversight framework.
In November 2024, ÚRHH introduced the “Gambling Without Myths and Illusions” project, which later earned the Global Regulatory Awards 2025 distinction as “Regulatory Initiative of the Year.” Targeted at Generation Z, the initiative delivers objective information about gambling and its risks to high school students. Hundreds of students have completed the program so far. An agreement signed with the Faculty of Education at Trnava University in February 2026 aims to further integrate gambling risk education into teacher training. A follow-up project is in development for launch by the end of the year.
| Year | Gross Gaming Revenue (€) | Year-Over-Year Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | — |
| Last Year | 1,550,000,000 | 7.2 |
Legislative and Regulatory Priorities Looking Forward
With the Office now responsible for consumer protection since January 1, 2026, practical implementation over the next two to three years will determine the effectiveness of these regulatory changes for public order and sector expectations.
Baranová described an evolving regulator role: “The role of our Authority is evolving from a ‘passive regulator’ to an ‘active creator of a safe ecosystem.’” A digital shift is anticipated by 2030, including the use of augmented reality in live casinos and artificial intelligence for both personalization and risk detection. With this transition, products such as crash games and esports betting are expected to require immediate regulatory attention due to their appeal to younger audiences and potential addictiveness.
To address these shifts, the Authority plans to invest in real-time data analysis capabilities, link all gambling devices to central monitoring, and employ AI algorithms for the proactive identification and blocking of illegal online domains. Enforced requirements may include mandatory risk-detection algorithms for operators. The Office aims to act as a mediator, balancing fiscal interests with public order and providing municipalities with expert data to guide evidence-based policymaking.
Conclusion and Future Directions
According to Baranová, Slovak regulation efforts must match the pace of market innovation. With enhanced enforcement, continued education, and cross-border cooperation, Slovakia’s strategy is to develop a secure and responsible gambling environment. Success, however, will depend on broader collaboration and accountability from technology platforms involved in digital advertising.
- Author
Daniel Williams
