TITLE: Slovakia's Gambling Regulatory Authority Appeals for Operator Responsibility During 2026 Football World Cup
BODY:
On June 10, 2026, Slovakia's Gambling Regulatory Authority (Úrad pre reguláciu hazardných hier) issued an appeal to all gambling operators to exercise maximum social responsibility ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, one of the year's most popular sporting events for betting activity.
The authority emphasised strict compliance with responsible advertising rules and consumer protection legislation. The football championship is expected to generate substantial marketing and promotional campaigns from betting companies and online casinos. The Gambling Regulatory Authority warned that responsible advertising must not target vulnerable populations, particularly minors and individuals registered in the Registry of Excluded Persons (Registra vylúčených osôb, RVO).
Libuša Baranová, chief executive of the Gambling Regulatory Authority, said the authority would fully utilise its newly acquired competence in consumer protection oversight, closely monitoring and evaluating the content of operators' advertising campaigns throughout the tournament. She noted that the authority's new legislative authority provides a strong mandate to protect Slovak consumers from aggressive, misleading, or manipulative practices, and that gambling advertising must remain within clearly defined legal boundaries and include explicit warnings about gambling-related risks.
The authority will deploy increased monitoring capacity across television broadcasting, online platforms, social media, and outdoor advertising during the championship. If violations of consumer protection or gambling legislation are identified, the authority is prepared to take immediate action.
The authority also warned the public about "brand spoofing"—sophisticated online fraud where illegal operators exploit the names, visual identity, and credibility of licensed companies to direct players to fraudulent websites. The authority advised consumers to verify URLs and play exclusively on licensed operator platforms as the only protection against cyber threats.