Slovakia reshuffles Gambling Office leadership for second time in 2025

The Republic of Slovakia has reorganised the leadership ranks of the Office for the Regulation of Gambling (ÚRHH) for the second time this year.

The Ministry of Finance confirmed that Libuša Baranová has been appointed Director General of the gambling authority, following a decision by Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický.

The change sees Jana Mravíková, who had led the ÚRHH since April, move to the position of Director of the Department of Economics and Operations, effective 1 October 2025.

Mravíková had assumed the top post earlier this year after the departure of Martin Bohoš, who had served as Director General since 2019.

Upon leaving office, Bohoš had called for a full review of Gambling Act of Slovakia, warning that the framework was failing to keep pace with rapid growth of online casino and insufficient consumer safeguards.

The latest leadership change arrives amid mounting political pressure to overhaul gambling governance in Slovakia. The Sports and Tourism Minister, Rudolf Huliak, has tabled a new set of amendments designed to deepen the social responsibility and duties of gambling operators towards Slovak consumers and sports funding. 

Huliak has repeatedly argued that Slovakia must “regulate, not promote gambling“, emphasising greater protection for vulnerable players and stricter enforcement against illegal operators.

Elsewhere, opposition parties from the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) have demanded that the Ministry of Finance conduct a tax audit into the gambling sector. The party questions why national wagers have increased sharply, yet tax receipts remain stagnant at €340m. 

KDH leaders have accused the ministry of neglecting oversight duties while regulated operators continue to benefit from low transparency and inconsistent enforcement.

Of significance, a series of reports by the Supreme Audit Office and the Institute for the Regulation of Gambling (IPRHH) have highlighted that regulatory shortcomings must be addressed, with Slovakia’s current system described as fragmented, under-resourced, and outdated.

As Baranová takes charge, industry observers expect the new leadership to focus on restoring public confidence, strengthening consumer protections, and ensuring that gambling taxation and regulatory practices are aligned with Slovakia’s broader fiscal and social policy goals.