Slovakian sports bodies urged to ensure “no connection with unlicensed gambling”

The new head of the Slovakian gambling regulator said she would not hesitate to enforce sanctions for breaches of the Gambling Act.

Slovakia.- The Slovakian gambling regulator has urged sports bodies to check their commercial agreements to ensure they have ”no connection with unlicensed gambling“. Libuša Baranová, the new director general of the Gambling Regulation Office (ÚRHH) made the comments in her first public address since taking up the position.

She told sports bodies to take immediate action by removing the trade name or logo of any foreign gambling operator that doesn’t have an individual licence in Slovakia. Sports federations were urged to review and eliminate non-compliant sponsorships across leagues, clubs, and venues.

Baranová warned that the regulator would not hesitate to enforce sanctions for breaches of the Gambling Act, under which sports bodies can face fines of up to €250,000 for unlawful partnerships.

“Combating illegal gambling operators, protecting consumers and vulnerable groups, and ensuring a fair and regulated gambling market are our absolute priorities,” she said.

She said sports organisations had become a “high-visibility resource” for unlicensed gambling operators targeting both domestic and neighbouring markets. “They can even strategically leverage the partnership to support market development and build brand awareness abroad, or when targeting new consumers,” she added.

The major Slovakian sports leagues have deals with licensed operators: Niké, the national lottery, sponsors football and basketball competitions, while the Tiposport brand sponsors the ExtraLiga ice hockey league.

The start of Baranová’s tenure marks the second change in leadership at the ÚRHH this year. Jana Mravíková replaced Martin Bohoš in April but remained in the post for under six months.

Meanwhile, Slovakia’s president Peter Pellegrini has vetoed gambling reforms 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.

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