Slovak Opposition Pushes for Higher Taxes on Gambling Halls
Slovakia’s opposition lawmakers are calling for a sharp increase in taxes on land-based gambling, criticizing the government’s reduced flat-rate levy per device. They argue that the current system benefits large operators at the expense of public finances and fails to address rising gambling-related harm.
Opposition Criticizes Tax Cuts
Members of the opposition party Slovakia Movement, including MPs Michal Šipoš and Július Jakab, have voiced strong criticism of the government’s decision to reduce the originally proposed flat-rate tax of €9,300 per gambling device or table. According to Šipoš, lowering the tax by 40% to 60% translates to a €52 million annual loss for the state, which he described as a “tax bonus” for major gambling operators.
Šipoš emphasized that the goal of higher taxation should not only be to increase state revenue but also to reduce gambling-related harm in society. He said that The €52 million reduction is essentially a “tax bonus”for large gambling operators. He added that higher taxation would level the playing field and force operators to stop “extorting people in Slovakia.”
Call for Stricter Regulation
Šipoš argued that large operators should be subject to stricter taxation and suggested that Slovakia adopt tax models used in countries like Austria and Poland.
He claimed that doing so could bring in €300 million per year. Poland currently taxes land-based gambling at 50% of gross gaming revenue (GGR), while Austria imposes a 30% GGR tax.
Tax Levels Questioned Amid Rising Gambling Losses
Slovakia employs a hybrid system combining a flat-rate levy per device with a 27% GGR tax. The current government-approved flat-rate levels are €4,700 per device directly operated by players, €4,400 per slot machine in a gaming hall, and €6,000 per video terminal in a physical venue.
The opposition believes these rates are too low, particularly in light of growing gambling activity. According to Július Jakab, average gambling spend in Slovakia has quadrupled, and players lost an estimated €1.5 billion last year. He said:
“These are profits made on human misery, and the government refuses to tax them properly.”