The Slovak Gambling Regulatory Authority (URHH) states that physical gambling revenue is expected to decline by 2025, as online gambling revenue will increase by 30% in 2024, reaching nearly 476 million euros.
URHH has released its annual report, outlining the revenue, sales, and tax income of the gambling industry in 2024. Last year, the total expenditure of legal gambling in Slovakia reached 24.2 billion euros, an increase of 11% from the previous year.
The total gambling revenue for all vertical industries in the region was 1.45 billion euros, up 9.6% from 2023. Further breakdown shows that online gambling revenue will increase by 30% in 2024, reaching nearly 476 million euros.
This is based on the online player expenditure of 12.18 billion euros in 2024, of which 11.7 billion euros were returned in the form of prizes.
Martin Bohoš, the director of the Gambling Regulatory Authority, said: "The largest market share is still occupied by online casinos."
"Their significant growth is related to the innovation of digital services, changes in consumer behavior, and effective national regulation."
The total land-based revenue in Slovakia was 480 million euros, including 340 million euros from gambling halls and 140 million euros from casinos. However, the regulatory authority states that this figure is expected to decline by 2025.
The report states: "The Gambling Regulatory Authority expects that due to stricter regulation at the local government level, the revenue from physical gambling and casinos may decline in 2025."
In a statement, the regulatory authority emphasized: "At the same time, the agency stresses that this situation may lead participants to turn to the illegal market, which requires stricter regulation and the introduction of more effective mechanisms to eliminate illegal activities."
Slovak players lost 481 million euros in physical casinos, 5 million euros more than in online gambling.
Gambling tax increased by 15%
In 2024, the gambling tax revenue of the Slovak government was 347.3 million euros, an increase of 15% year-on-year. However, the gambling revenue of the Slovak government decreased by 5%, to 58.95 million euros.
The casino gambling tax contribution increased by 26%, reaching 16.4 million euros, while the state revenue from online casinos in 2024 grew by 35%, reaching 126.1 million euros.
In 2024, the tax revenue from digital lotteries was 47.6 million euros, an increase of 9% from the previous year.
Legal regulations on gambling
The online gambling law of Slovakia took effect on March 1, 2019. The law allows operators outside Slovakia to apply for sports betting and casino licenses.
In combating illegal websites, URHH stated that in 2024, its banned website list added another 89 websites, now totaling 820 websites.
URHH established a dedicated online gaming department in November 2022, aimed at combating illegal website operators in the country.
The regulatory authority stated that it will continue to work on developing modern regulatory mechanisms, "to ensure the protection of players, eliminate illegal activities, and stabilize the development of Slovakia's licensed gambling market."
In 2023, about 80% of licensed operators in the country signed the "Responsible Advertising Guidelines" formulated by URHH.
Operators agree, according to the regulation, to promote responsible gambling and focus on the financial and addiction risks brought by gambling.
