Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has vetoed the country’s newly adopted gambling reform bill, returning it to Parliament for further review.
The proposed legislation aimed to liberalise Slovakia’s online gambling sector, enhance regulatory oversight, and revise operator licensing requirements.
In his reasoning, Pellegrini raised concerns about consumer protection and the social risks associated with the bill’s provisions. His office acknowledged the need for regulatory updates but criticised the draft for lacking adequate safeguards against gambling-related harm. He also cited procedural irregularities, noting that several late amendments were introduced without sufficient discussion.
The vetoed bill would have opened Slovakia’s online gambling market to both domestic and foreign operators under a modernised licensing regime. It also proposed reforms to tax collection and expanded the supervisory authority of the Office for the Regulation of Gambling.
While industry experts viewed the initiative as part of a wider European move toward liberalised yet socially responsible gambling frameworks, domestic critics argued the proposal failed to set strict advertising limits or adequately protect vulnerable players.
Parliament may still override the veto through an absolute majority vote. Should the bill ultimately pass, it could come into force in 2026, marking a major shift in Slovakia’s gambling regulation. The decision highlights the ongoing struggle across Central Europe to balance market openness with social responsibility, mirroring similar reforms in the Czech Republic and Poland.
