Authorities in Slovakia are adopting a new approach to gambling regulation by partnering with academic institutions to better understand the risks associated with online gambling. The country’s Gambling Regulatory Authority has entered into a collaboration with the University of Trnava to support research that could inform future policy decisions.
Under the partnership, regulators will provide researchers with access to detailed market data, while the university will develop an educational framework focused on digital gambling risks. The research is also expected to contribute to prevention programs for schools and educational institutions across the country. For gambling operators, the initiative may signal potential regulatory changes in the future, making the findings particularly important to monitor.
The collaboration comes at a time when the Slovak gambling market is undergoing a major transition toward online platforms. Recent market reports show that digital casino products now dominate player activity.
In 2025, online gambling generated approximately €570 million in player losses, highlighting the scale of the digital sector. By comparison, revenue from land-based casinos fell to €286.6 million, representing a 15.6% year-on-year decline.
Since January 2026, the Gambling Regulatory Authority has taken on expanded responsibilities related to consumer protection. Officials say the partnership with the University of Trnava will help them develop more effective prevention strategies.
While research efforts are moving forward, broader legislative reform has stalled in the Slovak parliament. Lawmakers remain divided over whether to update the Slovak Gambling Act, which currently regulates the country’s gambling sector.
Earlier proposals from the Ministry of Sports and Tourism suggested stricter licensing reviews, stronger regulatory oversight, and higher tax contributions from the state-owned lottery operator TIPOS.
The proposed reforms were ultimately blocked by the President of Slovakia in December, citing concerns about the impact on market competition. As a result, the government has indicated that it will explore alternative regulatory approaches throughout 2026.
