Slovakia has a well-regulated gambling market that has generated over $20 billion in revenue in 2024 alone. More than 400,000 players wager online on locally-licensed sites like Nike, Fortuna and Tippsport.
Despite the thriving state of the market, not many brands are available in the country due to increased taxation, which means lower odds and fewer bonuses are the norm. On the other hand, online bookies that accept Slovakian players tend to have a wider selection of markets with increased odds and more lucrative promotions for big betting events.
In this guide, you can find all legit Slovakia betting sites along with a complete rundown of the legislation and betting trends in the country. Before we go into more hot details, these are our top 3 bookies for Slovakia:
Bookmaker Comparison | Local Licensed | International |
Licensing | Ministry of Finance | Malta, Curacao, Kahnawake and other international regulators |
Payments | Banks, Cards, Skrill, Apple Pay, SKPay, PayPal | Debit Cards, Credit Cards, E-wallets, Cryptos, 30+ Other Options |
User Experience | Fully localized for Slovak bettors | Few sites support the Slovakian language |
KYC Verification | Mandatory | Depending on the website |
Taxation | 22% For Operators Only. Not players. | No Taxation |
Although there are not many differences between SK-licensed and offshore brands, we can see that the latter have the edge due to their more relaxed nature. Below, you can go through all the best betting sites in Slovakia, where you can wager without any limits and get up to 5-figures worth of Bonuses. Here’s the full list.
Which Are The Best Betting Sites in Slovakia
What’s Special About Sport Betting Sites in Slovakia
Players have many options when gambling in Slovakia, some of which are locally licensed brands. Similarly to the websites that operate in neighboring EU countries, the sportsbooks you find offer a decent alternative. Below are the main points we use to compare between bookies. Here is what you should consider before opting for a brand:
Markets
Sportsbooks like Nike, Tipsport, and Fortuna sometimes provide high odds and a good betting variety, especially on local events. But if you want to punt on Player Specials and Alternative Handicaps across many sports, you must resort to international brands. Bookmakers on our list have unbeatable payouts reaching up to 98%.
In-play Betting
Most bettors tend to bet on live games, as they get to make updated guesses depending on the current results. For this, you will need coverage of the match through video or graphic visualization and fast bet acceptance. This is not an issue for many offshore bookies, who come with all the perks needed.
Sports Tools
Live streaming is one of many basic and advanced features that you can find on international betting sites like 22bet and BCGame. We look for the best tools that could impact your punting, such as Quickbet, Bet Builder, and Cash Out.
Terms and Conditions
Unfair and scam bookies are increasing in numbers, and the rules they have (or don’t have) on their websites can point out red flags. Our list has been thoroughly vetted, and we read the fine print to guarantee you do not lose money to scammers.
Bonus Offers
The biggest advantage though lies in the plethora of promotions available, with Welcome Bonuses even reaching 5 figures in rewards. Make sure wagering requirements are fair.
What Should You Know About Betting in Slovakia
Active Players | Legal Age | Local Currency | Player Protection |
~1,000,000 | 18 | Euro | Self-exclusion |
Gambling in Slovakia is regulated since 2006, when the Act No. 171/2005 was passed. In 2019, a new directive (Slovak Gambling Act) came along to further modernize the market and open it up to more operators. The Office for Regulation of Gambling is the dedicated authority establishing the framework and monitoring land-based and online operators. It directly oversees websites with local domains and cooperates with European-licensed brands to ensure they respect KYC and AML for Slovak players.
If you choose one of these operators, you can rest assured that you are not breaking the law, but you must remember that your activity is not private. KYC is mandatory for transactions exceeding €1,000 and active bets over €2,000. Consequently, you will have a smaller choice of payment methods.
Is Online Gambling in Slovakia Legal With Offshore Brands?
Companies with a compliant license are legally bound to deliver reports detailing their activity, including refused payments. In theory, there is a blacklist of forbidden bookmakers that is constantly updated.
Nonetheless, you can still access a massive amount of casinos and sportsbooks online. There have been no instances of player prosecution if they opt for an international betting site in Slovakia.
Is Gambling in Slovakia Taxed?
Returns that result from gambling are taxed, but player winnings are not. This is good news, as tax evasion is no longer a concern. However, if licensed bookies pay taxes on their returns starting at 22% for sports products, this drastically affects the odds and payouts.
There is another thing to consider that is concerning operator taxation. If a brand has a significant volume coming from Slovakia and they are not cooperating with the government for taxes, they might end up on the blacklist. To sidestep this issue, you might opt for betting sites that do not require KYC and accept VPNs.
Limitations of the Slovakia Betting Sites
It is not surprising that local websites cannot compete in terms of advertising, player promotions, and general sports offerings on global matches. Foreign betting sites still exist and turn profits, showing that the regulatory path is viable.
Yet, the majority opt for bookies operating in a grey area, and this is due to other aspects to consider, like payment methods and bank credit scores.
Which Are the Best Slovakia Betting Apps
Betting apps tip the scale in favor of the global behemoths. Companies like 22bet and 20bet might have complicated websites, but their APKs offer a seamless and unchallenged experience for punting on the go.
Slovaks have many options, with some local bookies delivering applications, too. But if you are looking for a betting app worth its salt, you should look for the award-winning platforms.
What Are The Latest Trends: Sports Betting in Slovakia
Football is the country's most popular sport, which is reflected on the local websites. Other disciplines, such as ice hockey and tennis, can be commonly found on bookies, and they attract a lot of Slovak bets.
Slovakia Football Betting
Since soccer is the most covered sport on betting sites, residents can punt on all major events they seek. The national team’s European contests, the Champions League, and The English Premier Division are closely followed and constitute a large chunk of the global wagering volume. Slovaks can find Winner and Player markets with unbeatable odds.
Betting on Ice Hockey
In addition to the IIHF World Cup and NHL matches, Slovaks also like to bet on the Czech hockey games. Some bettors also resort to Czech bookmakers to wager on more options in these instances.
Slovakia Tennis Betting
Betting sites that target Slovaks ensure their tennis section is up to standard, and they usually provide matches from the ATP, WTA, and ITF. Live betting is the most engaging form of tennis bookmakers offer, and many adults like to bet on it regularly.
Basketball Betting
The NBA is usually given high payouts and incomparable market options. The Euroleague has been following suit with occasional Player Props and H2H bets. Locals like to benefit from these perks they find on offshore bookies. For now, the local teams have not managed to make a lot of international results despite the love for basketball at home.
Betting in Slovakia: Step-By-Step
Before delving deeper into the available payment methods and taxation, we will look at how to open an account and start wagering. If you have already settled on a type of betting site, here is what you should do next:
- 1 Find a bookmaker: Take a look at our full list of recommended brands and read their individual reviews for the one that suits you best. You can use filtering and sorting tools for their bonuses and top features. We also added useful information on payments, services, and licenses.
- 2 Create an account: Most brands will request you enter your personal information upon registration unless it is a no-KYC bookie. We recommend you enter this info correctly, as you cannot change it later, and you will be asked to upload proof documents when you withdraw.
- 3 Choose your bonus: If the welcome offer is not displayed in the registration form, you must activate it from the cashier or by contacting support. Our bonus articles also have promo codes and exclusive bonuses with some betting sites, so do not forget to check them out.
- 4 Top-up Funds: At this point, you must deposit money into your account. The cashier can be accessed from the wallet icon or the “Deposit” button, which is usually on the top right of the website. Keep reading this guide to learn more about the payment processors available to Slovak gamblers.
- 5 Start Betting: With your funds debited and your bonus selected, all that is left is to find good bets. Whether a beginner or a pro, you might benefit from our predictions section to find the highest-priced odds on likely winners or use them as a pointer for steadier profits.
What Payments Can You Find on Slovakian Betting Sites
Like in all EU member states, the Euro is the main currency, allowing citizens to use almost all existing payment methods. However, these methods are not always supported on local sites or for gambling in general.
⏩ Visa and Mastercard: The two processors remain the most used payment methods globally and are accepted on betting sites. They provide faster and cheaper transactions than wire transfers when depositing, but many brands do not offer them for withdrawals.
⏩ Apple Pay: Bettors with iOS devices or an Apple account can use the company’s accelerated processor, which saves the card and billing details. The Android alternative is not commonly used by players in Slovakia. Instead, Apple Pay bookmakers are capitalizing on the payment’s popularity.
⏩ Paypal: One of the oldest e-wallets in existence, PayPal was synonymous with online betting over a decade ago. However, tightening global regulations have forced the company to cease offering payments on gambling sites. The brands with a “.sk” domain are legal, and in this exceptional case, you can still find PayPal bookmakers.
⏩ SKPay: is a payment solution used solely by Slovaks, and it is doubtful to find it with any international operator. In this case, fully compliant and localized betting sites are the only destinations where you will find it.
Can Slovaks Bet With Crypto?
Cryptocurrencies are perfectly legal in Slovakia and you can use them for online betting. In fact, it would be a more optimal solution for bettors wanting to wager on offshore bookies, as transactions are not monitored by banks, leaving no chance for further scrutiny or limits.
How Does the Future Look For Betting in Slovakia?
For now, citizens have a plethora of options at their disposal. Each comes with different attributes, but we can safely say that you can find reputable gambling services if you do the due diligence and stick to our vetted bookies.
Slovakian betting sites of all types will not require you to declare taxes, and you will not face any legal consequences if you go with an unlicensed provider. The future looks good for local bettors, but you must keep yourself updated with the news.
Gambling in the Neighbouring Countries
Looking at gambling in Slovakia's neighbouring countries can provide valuable insights and comparisons. By examining the sports betting industry in countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, you can gain a better understanding of regional trends, regulations, and popular gambling activities.:
⏩ Czech Republic: The government has successfully regulated the gambling market, meaning that all land-based and online local bookies have licenses and are subject to taxes. Czech betting sites are sometimes deterred by legal requirements, so they resort to mirror sites to attract locals.
⏩ Hungary: The gambling industry is regulated by the Hungarian Gambling Act. The country has land-based casinos, slot parlours, and sports betting shops. Online gambling is also legal and regulated, with licensed betting sites in Hungary offering a wide range of sports, markets, and promotions.
⏩ Poland: The country has numerous brick-and-mortar casinos, slot machine arcades, and betting shops. The Polish Gambling Act requires online operators to obtain a license from the Ministry of Finance and comply with strict regulations. Despite the regulations, local players have access to a variety of Polish betting sites.
The legal framework addresses the online sector, making it perfectly legal to access licensed online bookies. Moreover, there are no penalties for players who wish to place their bets on unlicensed international bookmakers.
Unfortunately, Bwin is among the international bookmakers that chose to seize its operations in the country back in 2017. It still is off limits for local bettors, despite the 2019 new Act on gambling.
The new legal framework does not refer to the players' winnings but only to the operators' taxation. Especially when betting online, bettors in Slovakia get to keep what they win.
It is safe, especially when betting on any international bookmaker we list in our analysis. So, stick to any of them and enjoy a secure betting experience.
With many betting sites accepting locals, 22bet stands out. It is ideal for football lovers, offering loads of special bets and a localized interface. Ensure you do not miss out on their daily promotions.
The Office for the Regulation of Gambling has set clear guidelines for online betting. However, if restrictions apply, they do so on operators and not players.