Slovakia

Best Online Casinos in Slovakia

Once a part of Czechoslovakia, Slovakia (or the Slovak Republic) has, since 1992, been a sovereign state. Slovakia joined the European Union on May 1st, 2004 and adopted the Euro as its currency on January 1st, 2009.

One might be forgiven for not being able to identify a range of different online gambling Slovakian providers. This is because, until very recently, the state-owned operator, Tipos, was a monopoly-holder over everything including bingo raffles, and the lottery.

However, given the undeniable rise in demand for online gambling, the Slovakian government implemented changes to the National Gambling Act. Other providers are now able to apply for licences and compete with Tipos.

This change is fantastic news for Slovakian gamblers who are looking for new ways to entertain themselves and find excitement. Players in the capital city of Bratislava are most excited about the news. Why? Because local authorities in the city are pushing to enforce new restrictions on brick and mortar gambling establishments, with some people saying that an outright ban on gambling in the city might be the outcome.

Imposing a ban on brick and mortar gambling in the capital city, and the loss of revenue that will come as a result, will inevitably have negative effects. That said; online gambling is a worthy replacement. Gambling online will give Slovakian enthusiasts a flexible and mobile way to play their favourite casino games.

Despite the recent history of the blacklisting of international operators, which the government believed was serving Slovakian gamblers, the new changes have inspired plenty of major developers to enter the market. After all, a better-regulated industry benefits the country, opens new markets to international operators and, most importantly, it protects the players.

Is Online Gambling Legal in Slovakia?

The National Gambling Act was changed on January 29th, 2019. Now, the doors are open to online operators who are willing to comply with regulations. As with all gambling in Slovakia, the legal age to gamble online is eighteen years old.

Tipos, the state-owned outlet, now only maintains control of the lottery, bingo and raffles. Online sports betting is now in the pipeline and licences are currently under consideration. The first of these licences will be granted from July 1st, 2024.

The Slovakian government asks international providers that wish to participate in the Slovakian market to partner up with a local representative. This local representative will act as a conduit and liaison with the government. This step is instrumental in green-lighting their approval. This new rule will ensure that only legitimate operators are granted licences.

Those that wish to operate online casino games will have to fork out €3 million for a 10-year licence. The same fee applies to online sports betting. However, those that intend to deliver both pay €5 million for the dual licence.

How We Review the Top Slovakian Casinos

Here at Gambling Metropolis, we dig deep into a wide range of criteria to give our players comprehensive insights that inspire confidence. We take this job very seriously because we want to provide you with the best possible gambling experiences.

The following are the criteria that we judge each site by:

Safety & Security

Now that Slovakia has taken steps to ensure that all approved and licensed online casinos have a registered office in the country or another EU member state, it’s proof that they take regulation very seriously. Safety and security are very important to our team. Each site you see listed here is verified in regards to player protection.

Welcome Bonuses

The bonus offer is one of the key factors to consider when signing up to a new site. We’ve made sure that each site we recommend ticks all of the boxes when it comes to appeal and fairness.

Deposit Methods

Flexibility is important when it comes to making deposits at your online casino of choice. However, let’s not forget about security and trustworthiness. Our goal is to give you confidence that your deposit transactions will be step one of a positive and enjoyable experience.

Fast Payout

Withdrawing your winnings is the best part of online gambling. All of the sites you see listed here provide a hassle-free experience and deliver on their promises of fast payouts.

Mobile Capabilities

We live in a mobile world and casinos that enable their players to take the experience with them earn extra points. A great user-friendly mobile casino platform is fast becoming a key element of the overall user experience.

Customer Support

Customer support is always very important. These online casinos have a customer-centric mindset that is represented by flexibility in terms of contact methods, availability and professionalism.

Established Game Providers

The online gambling world is booming, which means that new developers and providers are entering the market every year. While there are plenty of great developers out there, some are better than others.

We’ve taken an in-depth look at each of the developers that are available on the casinos listed here so that you don’t have to spend your time going through the finer details.

Licence and Regulations

The Ministry of Finance is in charge of gambling licences in Slovakia. There are two types of licences: General and Individual. The good news is that only legal entities registered in the state can obtain licences.

An intensely thorough application process needs to be done before a licence is granted. International operators are also required to partner with local representatives and hold an office either in Slovakia or another EU member state. This ensures that those that hold a licence have significant credentials.

Unlicensed casinos are blacklisted in Slovakia, but you can be sure that our team will only point you in the direction of those that are licenced and maintain the highest standards.

Playing with Real Money – Can You Deposit Euros at Slovakian Online Casinos?

Slovakian Gamblers are fortunate to be part of the Eurozone and that the country has opted to switch to the Euro as their currency. This means that players can deposit and withdraw in Euros.

MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted for deposits. Alternative-banking options such as electronic wallets like PayU and Skrill are also accepted by many platforms. Neteller and SEPA are also popular choices for payments in Slovakia.

Not in the Eurozone? Most Slovak online casinos accept other currencies so be sure to read the fine print before signing up.

Which Casino Games Are Available in Slovakia?

Although the main sporting interest in Slovakia is soccer, online sports betting is still not possible but that is about to change. From mid-2023, players will be able to enjoy online sports betting.

There are lots of online slots, live dealer games, classic table tables and video poker games available to play. The best Slovakian casinos are committed to competing, so many will offer exciting mobile playability in addition to their online platform to ensure that their players are well looked after.

Popular Casinos Accepting Slovakian Players

CK Casino is one of the name brands that currently welcome Slovakian gamblers to register and enjoy everything that they have to offer. There is plenty of variety when it comes to slots, live dealer games, table games and video poker too. User experiences are very positive overall and payouts are fast, which is always welcome.

Players know Spela Casino for delivering fun games and offering generous welcome bonuses. The site is slick and very easy to navigate. Players can enjoy a choice of up to 1,300 games with all of the most popular options on offer.

Videoslots Casino does a little more to lure their Slovakian players in since they have a Slovak version ready to play. Also, they have a huge range of slot games, with more than 2,000 on the site. There is also a lot of video poker and table, arcade and variety options to keep you busy. They payout quickly and live chat makes communication easy.

Playing Online Casino Games with a Real Live Dealer

The live dealer experience is fast evolving with technology. Those that are already familiar with it appreciate the sense of immersion that it gives, while those that are new to the experience are arriving at a time of innovation.

5G technology is the horizon and the online live gaming experience is going to become that bit more immediate and exciting. Winning and competing in real-time will become much more commonplace as internet connectivity improves, thereby allowing players to compete against an interactive dealer as opposed to an algorithm.

Two aspects of this type of online gambling that are already very popular are graphics and sound. 3D is now the norm for many of the best casinos and the sense of place given by the sound cues really boosts the experience.

This will be of particular interest to Slovakian players based in Bratislava if the proposed bans on gambling in the city are implemented.

Casino Bonuses and Free Spins

One of the most frequently viewed pages on any online casino site is their bonuses page. We all love to get something for nothing and to feel that our loyalty is being rewarded the longer that we stay with a particular casino. The market is awash with competition so it makes sense that online casinos up their game and find new ways to encourage their players to remain with them. Slovakian players can get cashback bonuses, deposit bonuses and free spins.

What is a Bonus Wagering Requirement?

Online casinos recognise that there are plenty of players out there that love nothing more than to make a quick buck. So, rather than simply allow new users to withdraw winnings earned through bonus features, they place conditions and requirements when it comes to unlocking these winnings.

Let’s give you an example. A new player may be required to wager their win a predetermined number of times before they can use the withdrawal facility. This feature goes hand-in-hand with online gambling and is clearly displayed in the fine print. If it’s not there, the terms and conditions page has all of the info you need.

The Casino Market in Slovakia

Before Slovakia became a sovereign state, gambling was illegal. However, since leaving communism behind, gambling is massively popular across Slovakia with somewhere in the region of a fifth of its five million-plus population engaging in some form of gambling.

That said; the state position on gambling is still very much unstable. Bratislava, as noted earlier, is currently in the process of imposing tight rules and conditions on brick and mortar casinos.

Online Casinos and Gambling Rules and Regulations in Slovakia

The Ministry of Finance governs all licencing in Slovakia with regards to gambling both online and offline. The changes to the National Gambling Act created a better mechanism for the approval and licencing of external casino operators that ultimately creates a safer, better-protected environment for Slovakian players.

Fortunately, online gambling is now approved and with international brands able to join the market by adhering to the strict rules and regulations, it is a growth market that is set to boom.