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Research and Studies

Gaming by the Numbers

Number of People Engaged in Problem Gambling
The prevalence of problem gamblers in the general population, among those who enjoy gambling
  • Players who have no problem
  • Prevalence of Problem Gamblers
Source: First and Second Charts - 2020 Annual Report on Gambling; Third Chart - Impact Assessment of the Gambling Act and Related Legislation - Final Report - 2021

Number of individuals listed in the Register of Excluded Players

  1. Individuals receiving welfare benefits
  2. Persons living in the same household as recipients of financial assistance for those in need
  3. Persons registered at their own request
  4. Persons Against Whom Bankruptcy Has Been Declared
  5. Persons subject to a court-imposed ban on participating in gambling
  6. Individuals Subject to Mandatory Addiction Treatment
  7. Persons Who Do Not Pay Child Support
238 561
178 921
119 281
59 640
0
2020
12
2021
03
2021
06
2021
09
2021
12
2022
03
2022
06
2022
09
2022
12
2023
03
2024
09
2025
03
2025
06
2025
11

Note: The numbers cannot be added together; the groups may overlap.

Source: Ministry of Finance

How many people have used the Helpline?

2 783
2 087
1 391
696
0
598
2022
06
661
2022
07
736
2022
08
717
2022
09
743
2022
10
928
2022
11
992
2022
12
1 018
2023
01
953
2023
02
1 114
2023
03
691
2023
04
582
2023
05
790
2023
06
765
2023
08
1 361
2023
09
1 146
2023
10
1 622
2023
11
1 347
2023
12
1 577
2024
01
1 623
2024
02
1 583
2024
03
1 895
2024
04
1 964
2024
05
1 693
2024
06
1 917
2024
07
1 650
2024
08
1 594
2024
09
1 598
2024
10
1 349
2025
01
1 579
2025
02
1 924
2025
03
1 984
2025
04
1 958
2025
05
2 319
2025
06
1 926
2025
07
1 718
2025
08
1 704
2025
09
2022
06
2022
07
2022
08
2022
09
2022
10
2022
11
2022
12
2023
01
2023
02
2023
03
2023
04
2023
05
2023
06
2023
08
2023
09
2023
10
2023
11
2023
12
2024
01
2024
02
2024
03
2024
04
2024
05
2024
06
2024
07
2024
08
2024
09
2024
10
2025
01
2025
02
2025
03
2025
04
2025
05
2025
06
2025
07
2025
08
2025
09

How Time Went Hand in Hand with Regulation

18.5. 1990
The First Gambling Regulation in Modern Czech History
Known as the “Lottery Act,” this law governed the operation of gambling in the Czech Republic for nearly two decades. Over time, however, it failed to keep pace with modern developments in this area, and therefore had to be replaced in 2017.
1.1. 2003
Licensing of the First Slot Machine in the Czech Republic
The Ministry of Finance authorized the operation of video terminals—essentially a new generation of slot machines—from 2003 until the new Gambling Act took effect.
17.2. 2008
Launch of Online Sports Betting
The Ministry of Finance granted five operators permission to offer online odds-based betting. Registration and launch took place a few days later, on January 5, 2009.
1.1. 2012
A Significant Expansion of Municipal Rights
Municipalities may regulate new types of technical equipment, known as IVTs (interactive video lottery terminals), within their jurisdictions through generally binding ordinances.
1.1. 2017
New Comprehensive Regulation
A completely new, comprehensive, and very strict set of modern regulations was adopted, introducing a number of responsible measures and allowing operators from the EU and the EEA to enter the Czech market.
31.1. 2017
The Entry of the First Foreign Operator into the Czech Market
The new regulations allowed operators from abroad to enter the market; PokerStars was the first company to receive a license from the Ministry of Finance.
26.7. 2017
The First Illegal Website to Be Blocked
The new regulation has given the Ministry of Finance a new tool: the ability to block unlicensed gambling websites. The first site to be blocked in this way was 1xbet.com.
1.1. 2020
Players' Obligation to Pay Taxes on Their Winnings
An approach that is unparalleled in Europe in terms of its scope. All players are taxed on winnings exceeding one million CZK. The method of calculation differs between lotteries and other types of gambling.
20.12. 2020
Launch of the Register of Excluded Persons
Three years after the passage of the Gambling Act, one of the key pillars of responsible gambling—the Register of Persons Excluded from Gambling—was launched.
1.1. 2021
Amendment to the Gambling Act
After four years in effect, the new regulations underwent their first changes. These changes primarily strengthened the powers of state authorities in the area of gambling.
16.9. 2021
Launch of the "Responsible Gaming" Self-Regulation Project
A unique Responsible Gaming project was launched, and representatives from Fortuna, Chance, Tipsport, and Sazka signed the Responsible Gaming Commitments.
1.7. 2022
Expansion of the Registry of Excluded Persons
The Ministry of Finance now also enters into the register of persons excluded from gambling those who fail to fulfill their child support obligations toward a dependent child who has been awarded substitute child support.
1.1.2024
Tighter Taxation on Players' Winnings
Effective January 1, 2024, the tax-exempt limit on players’ winnings was reduced from 1,000,000 Kč to 50,000 Kč. The basic principle remains unchanged.
25.3.2024
The first blocked website promoting illegal gambling
As of January 1, 2024, the Ministry of Finance has been blocking not only websites where users could gamble directly, but also so-called “directory sites”—that is, websites that feature, for example, gambling advertisements or reviews of online casinos. The first site blocked in this manner was hravelka.com.
1.7.2024
Panic button
This button serves as a safety net for players who have temporarily lost control of their gaming and need to take a break. It is offered by all licensed operators, both at brick-and-mortar locations and online.