Early November at the Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRH) was dedicated to the issue of illegal gambling.On 4 November 2025, the IPRH held a press conference where two independent expert studies were presented, together with the new 2025 edition of the Black Book of Illegal Gambling. The event attracted strong media interest as well as attention from political leaders, significantly opening public debate about the scale of the problem.
Speakers at the Press Conference
The press conference featured the authors of the studies:
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Mgr. Robert Klobucký, Ph.D. (author of the sociological research)
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Ing. Aleš Rod, Ph.D. from the Center for Economic and Market Analyses (CETA)
Representing IPRH, Jan Řehola presented key findings. The business sector was represented by Petr Čelechovský (BONVER WIN), Jakub Kolesa (Fortuna Game), Zdeněk Brázdil (Tipsport) and, via video message, Aleš Veselý (SAZKA).
This broad representation of experts and major market players highlighted that illegal gambling cannot be addressed in isolation — it concerns regulators, researchers, and the industry alike.
Illegal Gambling: Unprecedented Scale and Billion-Crown Losses
According to current data, Czechs lose approximately CZK 14.5 billion annually to illegal operators. This corresponds to more than CZK 330 million per month in tax revenues lost to the state budget.
The sociological study by Robert Klobucký found that:
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400,000 players knowingly gambled with illegal operators
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Another 400,000 did not know who they were playing with — a significant portion of them, according to the author, also played on illegal sites.
“The data show that illegal gambling is a mass phenomenon affecting hundreds of thousands of people across the population,” said Klobucký.
Register of Excluded Persons: Online Protection Fails
The Register of Excluded Persons (REP) is intended to protect people in insolvency, those receiving social benefits, or undergoing addiction treatment. However, the study confirms that its effectiveness drops sharply in the online environment.
According to Klobucký’s findings, only 23.6% of players who gambled online in the past year and had been listed in the REP never attempted to play on unlicensed sites.
A majority (66.2%) admitted to gambling with illegal operators occasionally or regularly.
More than 231,000 people are listed in the REP— and a significant share are moving to the black market, where no player protection tools exist.
Economic Impacts: Billions Flow to Tax Havens
CETA’s economic study estimates that one out of every four crowns lost in gambling in the Czech Republic ends up with illegal operators.
Each year the state loses:
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CZK 2.9–3.6 billion in gambling taxes
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CZK 0.4–0.5 billion in municipal revenues
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Additional losses stem from unpaid corporate taxes and levies.
“Illegal gambling is not only a social issue but also a major economic problem. Players, the state and the regulated market — which plays by the rules — all lose out,” noted Aleš Rod from CETA.
Massive Interest in Illegal Websites: Up to One Million Searches per Month
An analysis of internet search data confirms enormous demand for illegal gambling:
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The three largest illegal brands receive 111,000 searches per month
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In total, Czechs search for illegal gambling websites up to 1 million times monthly
The Czech market faces a flood of illegal operators:
27 legal operators are competing against 1,113 illegal brands targeting Czech players.
Illegal Gambling in Land-Based Venues
Illegal gambling also exists outside the online environment — particularly in municipalities where legal gambling has been banned. Although this segment is smaller, its social impact is significant, especially in socially excluded localities.
Brand Misuse: Fake Websites, Apps and Scams
Illegal operators increasingly use brand spoofing, including:
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Dozens of fake websites imitating Sazka
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Fake mobile apps copying Fortuna products
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Fraudulent practices such as withholding winnings and identity theft
The Digital Transformation of the Black Market
The black market is shifting to unregulated digital platforms such as:
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Anonymous crypto-casinos
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Prediction markets like Polymarket
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Gambling via Telegram
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Gaming communities where minors encounter gambling before turning 18
These environments lack limits, age verification, and responsible gambling tools.
Conclusion
he IPRH press conference clearly demonstrated that:
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Illegal gambling in the Czech Republic is growing dramatically
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The state lacks effective oversight tools
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The impacts affect society, the economy, and public safety
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The regulated sector is harmed by unfair competition
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Without coordinated cross-government action, the situation will worsen
As Jan Řehola of IPRH stated: “It is high time to adopt systemic measures. Illegal gambling cannot be tolerated — it threatens public finances, players, and confidence in regulation itself.”
