Slovakia's Gambling Sector Welcomes New Leader Amid Record €24.2B Turnover
Slovakia's gambling sector has seen a major leadership shift with Libuša Baranova taking over as the new director general of the Office for the Regulation of Gambling (ÚRHH). Her appointment comes at a critical time, as the country's gambling turnover hit €24.2 billion in 2024—a 14% rise from the previous year. Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický backed the decision amid growing pressure to update outdated gambling laws.
Baranova replaces Jana Mraviková, marking the second change in leadership at ÚRHH this year. Her predecessor, Martin Bohoš, had urged a full review of Slovakia's Gambling Act before leaving. Now, Baranova's key tasks include improving internal transparency, modernising licensing procedures, and ensuring better tax alignment between operators and the government.
The Slovak market remains tightly regulated since 2019, with mandatory licensing under ÚVVSR and a gross gaming revenue (GGR) tax of 22–29%. Authorities have blocked over 1,000 illegal sites by 2025, yet one in four Slovaks still gambles on unlicensed platforms. Online betting dominated in 2024, with €12.8 billion wagered digitally compared to €8.92 billion in land-based venues. Slovakia's approach mirrors trends across Central and Eastern Europe. Countries like the Czech Republic and Hungary have opened their markets to licensed operators, imposing GGR taxes of 19–30% and cracking down on illegal sites. Poland remains the strictest, with a near-total online ban except for sports betting, while Romania and Bulgaria enforce EU-aligned measures like IP blocking and financial sanctions. The region's shift towards liberalisation—paired with higher taxes and stricter enforcement—reflects broader efforts to curb illegal gambling while boosting state revenue.
Baranova's leadership is expected to bring stability to Slovakia's gambling sector. Her focus on transparency, licensing reforms, and tax coordination aims to address long-standing structural issues. With gambling turnover climbing and illegal operators still active, her policies will shape how the market adapts to evolving regulations.
