Slovak president blocks gambling reform bill
President Peter Pellegrini has raised concerns about consumer protections and social impact.
Slovakia.- President Peter Pellegrini has vetoed the gambling reforms recently passed by Slovakian lawmakers, returning the bill to the National Council for review. He cited consumer protection grounds and the potential social consequences of the proposed changes.
The bill aims to liberalise Slovakia’s online gambling sector while expanding regulatory oversight and introducing new licensing rules for operators. The president’s office acknowledged the need for a regulatory overhaul but argued that the draft bill failed to include adequate safeguards against gambling-related harm.
The president also criticised the legislative process, suggesting that several amendments were adopted without sufficient parliamentary debate.
Had it been enacted, the law would have opened Slovakia’s online gambling market to both domestic and foreign online casino and betting companies. It also would have revised tax collection procedures and enhancing the powers of the Office for the Regulation of Gambling (ÚRHH).
While was the aim was to align with reforms seen across much of Europe, some critics warned that the proposal lacked clear restrictions on advertising and did not provide sufficient protections for minors or vulnerable groups.
Sports and tourism minister Rudolf Huliak has also proposed measures that would restrict operators from promoting gambling to welfare recipients, people in alimony arrears, and tax debtors. He also wants TIPOs, the national lottery operator, to play a role in channelling revenue to public and social projects.
Parliament now faces the decision of whether to override the presidential veto with an absolute majority. Should lawmakers push the bill through, it could come into force in 2026.
The Slovakia Movement party has continued to push for higher fees for land-based gaming venues in Slovakia. It has criticised the government’s move to reduce a proposed €9,300 flat fee for each additional device or table to €4,400 per slot machine in gaming halls and €6,000 for each video terminal in a physical venue.
MPs Michal Šipoš and Július Jakab continue to push for the €9,300 fee, claiming that the government’s decision to lower the levy will result in €52m in lost revenue for the state. They described the move as a “tax bonus“, arguing that big gambling operators should pay more tax to stop them from “extorting people in Slovakia”, with average player spending said to have increased fourfold.
Last month, the Ministry of Finance confirmed the appointment of Libuša Baranová as the new director general of the ÚRHH. It’s the second change at the top of the gambling regulator this year following the appointment of Jana Mravíková in April.
Mravíková stepped into the position following the departure of Martin Bohoš, who had led the authority since 2019. Finance minister Ladislav Kamenický reassigned Mravíková as director of the Department of Economics and Operations as of October 1.
