Operators Exit Czech Republic as New Regulation Comes into Force Operators Exit Czech Republic as New Regulation Comes into Force
Key Takeaways
  • On January 1, the Czech Republic’s Act 186/2016 on online gambling, and a companion bill 187/2016 related to tax on online gambling, came into effect.
  • It requires that all foreign operators who accept business from Czech citizens apply for a local license and pay tax of gaming revenue. In response, at least two operators have chosen to withdraw from the market.
  • Currently there is no indication that other major online poker operators, like Amaya’s PokerStars, GVC’s partypoker or 888, plan to withdraw from the market.

Online gaming operators have started the new year with the tough question of whether to withdraw from the Czech Republic.