Czech Republic online gambling license (Czechia)
A mid-sized EU market licensed by the Ministry of Finance: a separate basic licence for each game type, valid up to six years, open to EU/EEA corporations. Entry needs CZK 50 million in equity, a guarantee per game type, certified systems and RVO connection, with gambling tax of 30% or 35% of GGR.
- Best for
- EU operators with strong capital ready for a high-tax Central European market
- Who can be licensed
- B2C operators
- Markets it serves
- EU regulated markets
The Czech Republic licenses online gambling through the Ministry of Finance under the Gambling Act (Act No. 186/2016 Coll.), in force since 1 January 2017. Operators need a basic licence (základní povolení) for each game type, such as odds betting, technical games (slots), live games, bingo, totalizator or lottery, valid for up to six years. Applicants are corporations seated in the Czech Republic, the EU or the EEA, with equity of at least CZK 50 million, a guarantee for each game type, certified systems and a Czech-language site. Gambling tax is 35% of gross gaming revenue on technical games and lotteries and 30% on other games, and every player is checked against the RVO exclusion register.
- Status
- Licensing open
- Regulator
- Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic
- Legal basis
- Gambling Act 186/2016 Coll. and Gambling Tax Act 187/2016 Coll., as amended from 2024 and by Act 152/2025 Sb.
- Status checked
- October 16, 2026
License types in the Czech Republic
Each game type needs its own basic licence and guarantee. Licences run for up to six years and cannot be assigned, and meeting the conditions does not create a right to a licence.
Odds betting and totalizator
Fixed-odds and pool betting on sports and other events; betting operators contract an integrity-monitoring provider.
Technical games
Online slots and other games run by technical devices; taxed at the higher 35% rate.
Live games
Live casino, table games and poker run with a live dealer or between players.
Lottery and bingo
Online lotteries and bingo under their own basic licences; lotteries are taxed at 35%.
Who can hold a Czech basic licence
| Requirement | Under the Gambling Act (186/2016) |
|---|---|
| Seat | A corporation with a board and control body, seated in the Czech Republic, another EU member state or an EEA state (Section 6) |
| Equity | Own capital of at least CZK 50 million (about €2 million), with transparent ownership and lawful origin of funds |
| People | Debt-free status and clean criminal records for the company, board members, supervisory board and procurators (Sections 91–92) |
| Guarantee | A guarantee for each game type, deposited with the Ministry or as a bank guarantee and kept at full amount for the licence term (Section 89) |
| Systems | A game plan, certification of the games and technical equipment by a Ministry-authorized laboratory and a server location document |
| Foreign licenses | A Malta, UK or Curaçao license gives no right to serve Czech players; a Czech basic licence is required |
Technical and player-protection rules
Czech-language site
Online games run on a Czech-language website showing the licence, help contacts, the 18+ notice and elapsed playing time.
AISG reporting
Data on games, bets, deposits, winnings and players is transmitted to the Ministry’s AISG system, typically daily.
Registration
One account per player, verified identity and age (for example through BankID), a registered payment account and an RVO check; temporary accounts last at most 30 days.
RVO register
The register of excluded persons covers self-exclusion, insolvency, court bans and, since October 2025, adults receiving material-need benefits and their household members.
Mandatory limits
Players set daily and monthly bet and loss limits, login limits and session time; a panic button lets them block play immediately.
AML
Operators identify players, monitor transactions and report to the Financial Analytical Office, keeping records for ten years.
How the application runs
There is no fixed processing time; in practice expect 6–12 months from a complete file. Documents must be no older than three months at filing, and the Ministry has discretion even when all conditions are met.
- 1Qualify the companyEU/EEA corporation with a board, CZK 50 million equity and a transparent ownership chain.
- 2Fit and properPersons list, debt-free confirmations and criminal records for the company and key people.
- 3Games and systemsChoose the game types, draft the game plan, certify the platform and build the Czech-language site and AISG interface.
- 4Guarantee and filingDeposit the guarantee for each game type and file the application with the Ministry of Finance.
- 5Go-liveRVO checks, mandatory limits, AML program and quarterly gambling tax returns.
Ongoing obligations
- Quarterly gambling tax of 35% (technical games, lotteries) or 30% (other games) of GGR
- RVO exclusion register check at registration and play
- Mandatory player limits, session controls and a panic button
- Daily data transmission to the Ministry’s AISG system
- Guarantee kept at full amount for the licence term
- Ministry warning and 18+ notice in every advertisement
- AML identification, monitoring and reporting to the Financial Analytical Office
How gambling is taxed
Technical games and lotteries
35% of gross gaming revenue (stakes received minus winnings paid) under the Gambling Tax Act.
Other games
30% of gross gaming revenue on odds betting, totalizator, bingo and live games since 1 January 2024.
Filing
Gambling tax is filed quarterly with the Financial Administration; corporate income tax of 21% applies where the operator is taxable in the Czech Republic.
Players
Winnings above CZK 50,000 a year per game type are subject to 15% income tax since 2024 (previously CZK 1 million).
Marketing, bonuses and enforcement
Advertising
Only licensed gambling may be advertised; every ad carries the Ministry of Finance addiction warning and an 18+ notice and must not target minors or present gambling as a source of income.
Placement
No ads on or inside buildings with gambling premises or nearby; sports sponsorship and celebrity endorsements are allowed.
Bonuses
Bonuses are allowed with clearly stated terms; risk bonuses with unclear conditions and physical goods such as food, drink or tobacco are prohibited.
Blacklist
The Ministry lists unlicensed online games; internet providers block them and payment providers stop transactions within 15 days. Unlicensed gambling carries fines of up to CZK 50 million.
Weighing Czech Republic against other EU markets? Our European gambling license comparison covers all 27 member states: which products each licenses, the regulators, B2B rules and Finland's 2027 opening.
Compare EU marketsFrequently asked questions
Who regulates online gambling in the Czech Republic?
The Ministry of Finance, through its gambling regulation department, under the Gambling Act No. 186/2016 Coll. It issues licences, keeps the whitelist of licensed operators and the blacklist of illegal sites.
What licenses are available in the Czech Republic?
A basic licence (základní povolení) for each game type: odds betting, totalizator, bingo, technical games such as slots, live games and lottery. Each runs for up to six years and cannot be assigned.
Can a foreign company get a Czech gambling license?
Yes. A corporation seated in another EU member state or an EEA state can apply without a Czech company, provided it meets the equity, integrity and technical conditions.
How much capital is needed?
Own capital of at least CZK 50 million (about €2 million), plus a guarantee for each game type kept at full amount during the licence term.
How is online gambling taxed in the Czech Republic?
At 35% of gross gaming revenue for technical games and lotteries and 30% for other games, filed quarterly. Corporate income tax of 21% applies on top where the operator is taxable in Czechia.
How long does a Czech license take?
There is no statutory deadline. In practice, plan for 6–12 months from a complete application.
What is the RVO?
The register of excluded persons. Operators check it before letting anyone play. It includes self-excluded players, people in insolvency and, since October 2025, adults receiving material-need benefits.
Do B2B suppliers need a license in the Czech Republic?
There is no separate supplier licence. Games and technical equipment are certified by a laboratory authorized by the Ministry as part of the operator’s application.
Are players taxed on winnings?
Since 2024, winnings above CZK 50,000 a year per game type are subject to 15% income tax. Below that threshold they are tax-free.
Can a Malta-licensed operator serve Czech players?
No. Only operators with a Czech basic licence may offer gambling to Czech players. Illegal sites are blacklisted and blocked by internet and payment providers.
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