Slovak Authorities Tighten Licence Controls During 2026 World Cup

Slovakia’s gambling regulator has warned operators that the FIFA World Cup cannot be treated as a free pass for aggressive marketing.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority (URHH) has told both online and land‑based licensees that every campaign tied to the tournament must meet strict standards of consumer protection. The regulator stressed that the heightened visibility of the World Cup should be used to promote safer gambling, not to push risky customer acquisition strategies.

Libuša Baranová, Director General of gambling policy, explained the regulator’s expectations in an SBCNews report, clearly stating, “During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Gambling Regulatory Authority will consistently monitor and evaluate the content of operators’ advertising campaigns throughout the duration of the tournament.”

She added that operators should highlight tools such as self‑exclusion schemes and deposit limits, while reinforcing messages about responsible play.

The regulator confirmed that its oversight will extend across television, online platforms, social media, and outdoor advertising. URHH also made it clear that it will intervene immediately if operators breach gambling rules or wider consumer protection laws.

Slovakia continue to push for gambling reform

Slovakia’s debate over gambling regulation has been building for more than a year, with policymakers weighing how best to respond to the fast shift toward online play.

In early 2025, Minister Rudolf Huliak urged the government to review the country’s framework, warning that existing rules were no longer keeping pace with consumer behaviour. He proposed stricter licensing controls and even suggested that certain high‑risk games should only be offered by the state‑owned operator TIPOs.

While the idea brought up political discussions, President Peter Pellegrini chose not to advance it, noting that such restrictions could clash with European Commission rules on free markets and competition.

Still, he acknowledged the need for stronger consumer protections and promised to examine future proposals aimed at reducing gambling harms.

This May, the GRA partnered with the University of Trnava to build a research‑driven framework for oversight. The collaboration gave researchers access to market data and tasked them with designing prevention programs for schools, producing theses on digital addiction, and hosting conferences on online safety.

This partnership, along with the warning to operators during football’s biggest event, shows that the regulator recognizes how large online gambling has grown and is making moves to protect consumers.

Slovak Authorities Tighten Licence Controls During 2026 World Cup

Slovakia continue to push for gambling reform

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