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Main provisions of The Czech Gambling Act
The Czech Gambling Act, Act No. 186/2016 Coll., is the primary gambling law and regulation in the Czech Republic governing its activities. It defines gambling as a game of chance, betting, or a lottery where the outcome is substantially influenced by case or unknown circumstances.
The Act classifies gambling as lotteries, odds betting, totalisator games, bingo, technical games, live games, raffles, and small-size tournaments. Any game that does not fall within these categories is prohibited.
The Act requires a basic license issued by the Ministry of Finance for new casinos in the Czech Republic. An additional "gambling premises location license" issued by local municipalities is necessary for land-based gaming.
Each type of gambling requires a separate basic license. However, raffles and small-size tournaments are exceptions, where operators only need to notify the municipal authority if the game receipts exceed a certain threshold.
The Act imposes several restrictions on licensees. Notably, games cannot enable participation by minors (under 18 years), must ensure fair playing conditions, and should not contravene moral standards or public order. Licensees are also barred from providing benefits to players in connection with gambling operations, like food, drinks, tobacco products, or stimulating substances.
Moreover, the Gambling Act includes social responsibility requirements. Operators must allow players to set self-restricting measures, such as limits on bets per day or month, net losses, login times, and the duration of exclusion from games after logging out.
However, there is a register of individuals barred from real money casinos, managed by the Ministry, which gambling operators must adhere to, ensuring that listed individuals do not participate in any gambling activities.
This includes people receiving certain government assistance benefits, individuals over 18 linked to those receiving these benefits, and those declared bankrupt. Also barred are individuals under criminal interim orders prohibiting gambling and those with legal restrictions or undergoing medical treatment for gambling addiction.
Individuals can also request to be added to this register voluntarily. This system ensures that vulnerable or legally restricted persons are prevented from participating in gambling activities.
