The Czech Republic is a country located in the heart of Central Europe, whose population is very keen on sports and has long traditions in various gambling activities, including sports betting. A large number of brick-and-mortar casinos are located in the country as well as many online sportsbooks.
The Czech are avid fans of football and ice hockey, where their national teams have won several medals in major international competitions. Bettors, however, are interested in a lot of sports disciplines popular in other parts of the world, which determines the variety of betting markets supported by the bookies in the country.
Both local and international brands operate on the Czech sports betting market with the main differences being the diversity of sports featured and the available payment methods. Each of them has its advantages, which we will discuss in detail below.
Betting on sports is completely legal in the Czech Republic as several years ago the government launched Act No. 186/2016 On Games of Chance which regulates all gambling activities.
Legalities of Online Sports Betting in Czech Republic
Historical Betting Overview
As in other countries, horse racing is the first discipline in the Czech Republic (former Czechoslovakia) on which bets were placed. In the beginning, of course, this was not legal, especially if we consider the political regime before 1989. After the great political changes, however, the time of private companies came and it became clear that major changes in the field of gambling and odds betting would be a fact very soon.
In May 1990, the gambling industry was legalized and Petr Bouma, Jiří Balcar, Josef Kurka, and Michal Horáček were the most enterprising businessmen who took advantage of the new opportunity. They founded a betting office Fortuna and also its first branch in Pasáž Lucerna in Prague. Only a year later, Tipsport also entered the market, followed by a number of other operators.
Then began the gradual adaptation of the entire Czech legislation. One of the important moments is 2009 when online betting was allowed for domestic companies. Most of them quickly began developing Internet applications to meet modern bettors’ requirements. Over time, online bookmakers began to introduce live broadcasts too, a feature that is one of the most popular today.
What You Need to Know About Sports Betting in the Czech Republic
Although sports betting is quite popular in the Czech Republic, it is not considered a separate gambling category but is rather defined as odds betting or totalisator games. The popularity of sports betting and other gambling activities is evidenced by a study of the Czech government. According to it, 60% of the Czech population had executed some sort of gambling activity at least once in their lifetime and 25-40% had gambled within the last year.
Although not so striking, the Czech punters have a slight preference for online sportsbooks operated by international betting brands. Bettors can rest assured that they will not suffer any sanctions, as registering on and using such a bookie is not described as illegal in any legislative act.
The set of functionalities of sportsbooks in the Czech Republic does not differ from that of bookies in other regions. Punters can place pre-match and in-play bets and enjoy permanent and short-term promotional offers. A favorable fact for bettors is that winnings from sports betting and other gambling activities are not subject to state taxes. On the other hand, the law imposes significant taxes on online sportsbook operators, which sometimes limits the prize amounts they can afford to give to their users.
The growth of mobile technologies and the relevant interest of consumers is reflected in the Czech online sportsbooks. Most of them have dedicated mobile apps for Android and iOS devices or at least a fully functional mobile version of the website.
Odds Format in the Czech Republic
Having in mind the Czech Republic is a European country, the most common odds format you can find on online sportsbooks is decimal. It is one of the easiest to understand even by inexperienced bettors. The decimal odds format enables them to calculate their potential profit by multiplying the odds and the wagered amount. Let’s look at an example – if you place a bet of €100 and the odds are 3.5, a successful bet will award you €350.
Almost all online bookies allow punters to automatically change the odds format, with the most common options being fractional and American. The oldest one is fractional, which is most popular in the region of the UK, Scotland, and Ireland. Its principle is different – it shows your eventual profit when you bet a certain amount. If the odds are 10/1, you will receive €10 for every euro you have wagered.
The American odds format is completely different. If you are betting on a favorite, the odds come with a minus in front to indicate the sum you have to risk to win €100. This means that if you bet on Barcelona with odds being – 140, you must wager €140 to gain a winning of €100. If your bet is for the underdog, the odds will have a plus showing the amount you will win for every €100 you wager.
Czech Betting Laws and Legislation
The operation of sportsbooks in the Czech Republic has been well regulated in recent years, as the long-awaited Act No. 186/2016 On Games of Chance (Gambling Act) came into force in January 2017.
According to the Gambling Act, all web pages related to sports betting must be in the Czech language and the “online game server and device(s) used to operate a numerical lottery as an online game must be located in an EU Member State; or in a state that is a party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.”
To legally operate in the Czech Republic, online gambling operators must have a basic license for each gambling category. These are granted by the Ministry of Finance and are in force within the whole territory of the country.
The conditions for obtaining an operation permit are difficult to fulfill by foreign companies. Furthermore, Act No. 186/2016 requires them to pay taxes, which was not the case until 2017. That is why big brands have seemingly withdrawn from the country. However, the law does not mention any restrictions and penalties for Czech punters who bet through such bookies, so they remain especially popular.
Some important issues, such as taxation, are governed by Act No. 187/2016 Coll., on tax from games of chance (Gambling Tax Act). In cases where the special laws have no provision, the Administrative Procedure Code and the Tax Code apply to gambling.
To advertise sports betting and other gambling activities is permitted by the law, but only if it does not imply that gambling is a possible source of income. The following warning is also required – “Ministry of Finance caution: Gambling may lead to addiction!”.
Betting Restrictions in the Czech Republic
One of the obligations for online betting operators imposed by the Gambling Act is to verify the age of the punters. The minimum age allowed to engage in any gambling activity on the territory of the Czech Republic is 18 years. Another duty is to display an indicator showing the time spent playing and a warning that internet games can be addictive.
What is specific about the self restrictions is that they are not an option, but a must. All registered players are required to set up some kind of restricting rules, which can be later amended. The amendment procedures themselves are subject to time restrictions.
Land-based as well as online sports betting is allowed and regardless of the relevant winnings amounts, punters do not pay any taxes. All kinds of bets can be placed and there are no restrictions related to the sports and leagues you can bet on.
Gambling operators are not allowed to provide betting on games where the win or loss is determined by events that can be influenced by the players or operators and also games that cannot ensure fair conditions and a fair chance to win for all participants.
Online Betting Regulatory Body in the Czech Republic
All gambling activities performed on the territory of the Czech Republic are monitored mainly by the Ministry of Finance and the Customs Administration. The Ministry grants, changes or withdraws basic licenses of both land-based and online gambling operators. If an operator wants to offer different gambling activities, he must obtain a basic license for each of them. The Ministry of Finance also maintains a list of unlicensed gambling operators.
The Customs Administration executes onsite checks of gambling premises and is authorized to impose fines for violations of the Gambling Act. This authority is also responsible to monitor if any gambling activity complies with the relevant advertising and tax regulations.
In addition, the municipal authorities can ban any technical, bingo, or live games to operate on their territory. This is done by issuing special municipal decrees. However, these local authorities do not have any jurisdiction over online betting platforms and cannot restrict the provision of online services.
Popular Betting Markets in the Czech Republic
The Czechs are known for being loyal fans who ardently support their favorite teams and often travel with them around the world. Football and ice hockey are the undisputed favorites that attract the attention of both viewers and punters. Many sports in the Czech Republic are being practiced on a professional level and are accordingly organized in different-stage leagues. Some of the most popular disciplines in the country are basketball, volleyball, handball, athletics, and floorball.
One of the factors that further contributes to the popularity of soccer in the country is the successful career of some national players in Europe. We will only mention Peter Cech, who spent 11 years at Chelsea and is one of the names for the best goalkeeper in the Premier League of all time. The online sportsbooks operating in the country provide an almost inexhaustible selection of events in many national leagues, international tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League, and also the World Cup.
The Czech men’s national ice hockey team is among the most successful ones in the world, so this sport has almost the status of a religion in the country. Many of the players are part of the best club teams in the United States and Canada. Punters can place their bets on matches from the Chance Liga and the Extraliga in the Czech Republic, as well as from the NHL, OHL, and many others.
Basketball fans also have no reason to complain, as it would be difficult to find a competition in this sport that does not appear in the portfolio of online sportsbooks. More than 40 national leagues are featured (e.g. NBA, NBL, NKL, etc), as well as the Euroleague, the United League, Liga ABA, and some more.
Popular Betting Markets in the Czech Republic Summary | |
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Sport | Leagues |
Ice Hockey | Champions Hockey League, Euro Hockey Tour, Extraliga, Chance Liga, NHL, AHL, KHL, etc. |
Soccer | UEFA Champions League, Copa Libertadores, Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, etc. |
Basketball | NBA, NCAA, Euroleague, United League, Liga ABA, Estonian-Latvian League, LKL, PLK, etc. |
Handball | EHF European League, Champions League, European Cup, Extraliga, Bundesliga, etc. |
Tennis | US Open, Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Linz, ITF, and Challenger series. |
Czech Online Betting Bonuses
Czech punters can take advantage of the whole set of the usual promotional offers and bonuses, but mainly thanks to the major international brands operating in the country. This is not due to any strict regulatory restrictions, as in Australia, for example, but rather to the rather serious taxes that online sportsbooks have to pay to the state. Most of the local operators simply cannot afford to delight their registered users with frequent promotions and big prizes. However, as we have already explained, the legislation does not restrict the online activities of international betting companies and we will now look at the main bonuses available to bettors in the Czech Republic.
First of all, there are several types of entry bonuses. The newly registered punters can benefit from a multiplier after they place their first bet. Тhe amount they must wager and the minimum required odds differ among the different online bookmakers. Furthermore, punters usually receive a 100% bonus either in cash or in free bets. In order to receive such a bonus, there is always a rollover requirement to be fulfilled first and a specific time frame.
Another incentive for the Czech bettors are different loyalty programs intended to award avid sports betting users for their regular participation. Every bet placed leads to a certain amount of benefit points. Most often they can be subsequently used for free bets on selected events with certain betting odds.
With the proviso that not every online sportsbook offers the full range of bonuses, we will also mention that the Czech punters can take advantage of a variety of reload, rebate, and accumulator promotions.
Mobile Betting in the Czech Republic
The limitation of the local Czech betting companies that we observe in connection with the abundance of bonuses, fortunately, is not present in terms of their mobile compatibility. Almost all of them strive to respond to the growing interest in mobile betting, driven by our daily lives and the constant development of technologies.
The years are long gone when in order to practice any gambling activity you had to go to a brick-and-mortar casino or a physical bookmaker premise. The local and foreign online bookies have developed at least an in-browser application, which in most cases is neither visually nor functionally different from the main site. Bettors must only load their preferred sportsbook from the browser of their smartphone and then they will be automatically directed towards the mobile version. In most cases, there is no restriction on the browser used.
Of course, many sportsbooks have dedicated apps for Android and iOS devices that come with specific requirements regarding the version of the relevant operating system. А small number of mobile applications do not provide access to all payment methods, but this happens quite rarely. Some bookies (mostly the big brands) have provided special bonuses and promotional offers for bettors who download their mobile applications.
Popular Betting Banking Methods in the Czech Republic
The best online betting sites operating on the territory of the Czech Republic offer a wide range of payment methods for punters to top up their accounts. The options bettors have differ based on whether they are registered on a licensed local betting site or a sportsbook based abroad. Fortunately, a great part of the betting operators accept Czech Koruna deposits sometimes even without currency conversion.
Credit and debit cards are probably the most commonly used methods for executing deposits and withdrawals around the world, and Czech punters are no exception. Most bookies accept VISA, Mastercard, or Maestro and if there are any transaction fees at all, they are relatively low.
Paysafecard is a popular method for electronic payments in the Czech Republic and is widely accepted by online bookmakers. This is a suitable option for punters who want to use a specific amount for their bets, after which they stop wagering. The only downside is that the maximum withdrawal amount allowed is significantly lower compared to all other payment methods.
One of the most common payment methods at Czech online sportsbooks is PayU. Its popularity is mainly due to the user-friendly procedure and fast deposits. PayU enables payments processing via methods that can be integrated with web and mobile applications.
Global growth in the use of eWallets is present in the Czech Republic too. Most often, online sportsbooks accept payments through Skrill, but other options are also possible, especially with international brands. These include Neteller, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and some others. Deposits are usually instant, while withdrawals may take between 1 and 3 business days.
Punters can deposit and withdraw via online bank transfers too. This payment solution is preferred due to the high maximum limits it provides. On the other hand, bank transfers can take quite a long time before you can access your funds.
Popular Banking Methods in the Czech Republic | |||||
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Payment Method | Fees | Deposit Limits | Deposit Times | Withdrawal Limits | Withdrawal Times |
Debit & Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro) | 1.0% – 10.0% | Min €10/Max €50,000 per transaction | 1-3 business days | Min €10/Max €50,000 per transaction | 1 – 3 business days |
Online bank transfers | Varies | Min €10/Max €10,000 per transaction | Up to 24 hours | Min €10/Max €10,000 per transaction | 1-3 business days |
Paysafecard | 0% – 3.00% | Min €10/Max €4,000 per transaction | Instant | Min €10/Max €450 per transaction | Up to 24 hours |
Skrill | Up to 5% | Min €1/Max €10,000 per transaction | Instant | Max €10,000 per transaction | Up to 48 hours |
Google Pay | 1.50% | Max €2,000 per transaction | 3 – 5 business days | Max €2,000 per transaction | 3 – 5 business days |
Apple Pay | No fee | Min €1/Max €10,000 per transaction | Instant | Min €1/Max €10,000 per transaction | 1-3 business days |
What to Watch When Picking Czech Betting Site
The fact that the local authorities do not take any strict measures against punters who prefer betting on international online bookies means that there are no country-specific criteria to follow when choosing a sports betting site.
Probably the most important thing to do is make sure that the site you like has a license issued by a reputable authority. Having such a document ensures that the operator applies the necessary measures to protect your information and transactions, as well as that no unfair practices are found.
In general, the portfolio of local Czech sports betting sites is not always as diverse as that of their international competitors. Therefore, if you have chosen such an online bookie, check whether it offers your preferred disciplines and whether there are enough betting markets.
It is always an advantage when the layout is user-friendly, but if you are a novice, this becomes a must. The comprehensive help pages, detailed betting rules explanations, and professional and fast responding customer support will help you have a safe and pleasant betting experience.
If several online bookies have similar features, base your choice on the available promotional offers. Before you register, check if the sportsbook provides bonuses, a VIP program, cashbacks, etc. To be really beneficial to you, the promotions must be lucrative – significant cash prizes and free bets are the best options. One more thing, no matter how generous a bonus is, check out the criteria so you can use it. If you have to place bets worth €10,000 to get €5 in free bets, is this really a promotion?