Slovaks Spent €1.45 Billion on Gambling in 2024
In 2024, Slovaks placed €24.2 billion in bets and received €22.8 billion in winnings, resulting in a net gambling spend of €1.45 billion—up 9.6% from the previous year. Gambling tax revenue reached €347.3 million, marking an increase of €45.8 million compared to 2023.
Online Casinos Lead the Market
Online casinos maintained their dominance in the Slovak gambling landscape, recording a 29.9% increase in revenue to nearly €476 million. Tax contributions from this segment surged by 35.1%, reaching €126 million.
“The largest share of the market continues to belong to online casinos, which recorded a year-on-year revenue increase of 29.9% to nearly €476 million, while tax contributions to the state budget rose by 35.1% to €126 million. Their strong growth is linked to innovations in digital services, changes in consumer behavior, and effective regulation by the state”, said Martin Bohoš, General Director of the Gambling Regulatory Authority.
Despite the digital shift, Slovaks lost €481 million in brick-and-mortar gambling venues—€5 million more than in online casinos. Traditional gambling halls generated €340 million in revenue, though they were the only segment to report declines across all key metrics.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority expects a decline in revenues from land-based casinos in 2025 due to stricter local government policies. The authority also warned that this could push some players toward the unregulated gambling market, requiring stricter oversight and more effective mechanisms to eliminate unauthorized activities.
Sports Betting Gains Momentum
The sports betting sector also saw an upswing in 2024, fueled by major events like the UEFA European Championship and the Paris 2024 Olympics. Bettors lost €313 million, while the state collected nearly €87 million in tax revenue, an 8% year-on-year increase.
Lotteries remained a steady revenue source for the state, contributing €47.7 million in 2024, up 9.3% from the previous year.
Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Intensifies
Regulators blacklisted 89 more gambling websites in 2024, bringing the total number of banned illegal platforms to over 820. Authorities are ramping up efforts to curb unlicensed operations.
“The fight against illegal gambling is one of our top priorities. Every year, we track new attempts to bypass regulations and implement measures to prevent them. Our mission is to ensure that players have access to a safe and transparent gaming environment provided by licensed operators,” said Bohoš.