Illegal gambling threats and patterns revealed in recent Slovakia report

In a groundbreaking move, the Institute for Gambling Regulation in Slovakia (IPRHH) has published a comprehensive report titled "The Black Book of Illegal Gambling." The report sheds light on the prevalence, structure, and social impact of illegal gambling in the country.

According to the study, approximately 23.7% of gamblers, or around 296,000 Slovaks, are engaging in illegal gambling activities on unlicensed platforms. This staggering figure reveals that nearly a quarter of consumers are using the services of illegal gambling operators.

The study found that these black market operators attract customers through various tactics. Some 29.5% of the players were drawn in by the promise of better odds, while 29.1% recognized it as easier to register with an unlicensed gambling website. Moreover, 32.5% of the players were attracted by the allure of big bonuses.

David Lencses, the Executive Director of IPRHH, commented on the issue, stating that illegal gambling sites ignore every safeguard that licensed operators are obliged to follow. This includes the lack of limits, identity checks, or protection against addiction.

The report outlines a range of recommendations to combat illegal gambling. These include increasing public awareness, creating stable conditions for licensed gambling operators, and implementing effective blocking of illegal gambling websites. The report also suggests better cooperation with payment firms and banks to restrict transactions with unlicensed gambling operators.

The Organization of American States (OAS) proposed these recommendations. The report further highlights that these illegal operators do not follow any regulations, leading to significant tax losses in millions of euros annually.

A concerning finding from the study is that 43.2% of players cannot distinguish between ads promoting licensed operators and those linked to illegal gambling providers. Furthermore, only 42.2% of players actively check if a gambling operator has a Slovak license.

Another alarming statistic is that 13.1% of the consumers admitted to using illegal gambling websites because they were registered with RVO, Slovakia's National Register of Excluded Persons. If a customer loses money with an illegal gambling operator, they have no legal recourse.

In conclusion, the "Black Book of Illegal Gambling" report serves as a wake-up call to address the issue of illegal gambling in Slovakia. It underscores the need for stricter regulations, increased public awareness, and support for licensed operators to ensure a safer and more responsible gambling environment.