Online poker is legal in Slovakia under Act No. 30/2019, which permits EU-based operators to apply for licenses from the Gambling Regulatory Authority (1). The Authority, established on March 1, 2019 under the Ministry of Finance, grants and withdraws individual licenses while exercising comprehensive supervision over all gambling activities (2). Licensed online poker operators must maintain a Slovak-registered representative and comply with monthly reporting obligations on data specified by Decree No. 134/2019 of the Slovak Ministry of Finance.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority operates with the primary mission to create conditions for the protection of public order in the operation of gambling and ensure social compensation for risks arising from participation (2). The Authority issues licenses specific to card games including poker, with license terms varying from two to ten years depending on the type (1). Minimum statutory capital requirements range from EUR 70,000 to EUR 1,700,000 depending on the license type, with online casino operators paying a monthly contribution of 0.7% of proceeds to finance the Authority (1).
"The main mission of the Gambling Regulatory Authority is to create conditions for the protection of public order in the operation of gambling and to ensure social compensation for the risks arising from the operation of and participation in gambling."
Live poker is available at five Olympic Casino venues across Slovakia, including locations in Bratislava, Kosice, Zilina, and Trnava, offering cash games with stakes ranging from EUR 1/2 to EUR 2/5 (1). Tournament buy-ins at most poker rooms range between EUR 15 and EUR 30, though the Slovak Series of Poker at Banco Casino in Bratislava features larger events including a EUR 220 Main Event and EUR 525 High Roller (1). The regulatory framework prohibits promotion of gambling without a license via electronic communications networks, with the Authority maintaining comprehensive supervision through on-site inspections, remote digital monitoring, and enforcement actions against illegal operators.
Source:
https://cms.law/en/int/expert-guides/cms-expert-guide-to-gambling-laws-in-cee/slovakia
https://www.mfsr.sk/en/ministry/organisations-within-sphere-authority-mf-sr/organisations-mf-sr-chapter/gambling-regulatory-authority/
Last updated: 10-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
