Online Casino Regulations in Slovenia for Foreign Operators

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Slovenia has one of the most restrictive gambling markets in the EU, especially for foreign online casino operators. While Slovenian players frequently use international casino platforms, only a small number of companies are legally permitted to offer online gambling services within the country.

This guide explains Slovenia’s regulatory landscape, licensing requirements, market restrictions, and what foreign operators must know before targeting Slovenian players.

Is the Slovenian Online Gambling Market Open to Foreign Operators?

No.
Slovenia does not operate an open licensing system for foreign online casino operators.

Only companies with a government-issued concession may legally:

operate an online casino from within Slovenia,
provide gambling services to Slovenian residents,
advertise gambling products in the Slovenian market.

Foreign casinos that operate without a concession are not legally recognized, even if licensed in other jurisdictions such as Malta, Curacao, or the UK.

However — and this distinction is crucial:

✔️ Players ARE allowed to access foreign casinos

❌ Foreign casinos ARE NOT allowed to operate or advertise inside Slovenia

This creates a unique legal environment where offshore casinos attract Slovenian players but remain outside the local regulatory framework.

Who Regulates Online Gambling in Slovenia?

Three main bodies oversee gambling operations:

1. The Slovenian Government

Responsible for granting concessions and defining regulatory policy.

2. The Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS)

Handles oversight, tax enforcement, and supervision of licensed operators.

3. The Gaming Act (Zakon o igrah na srečo)

The primary piece of legislation governing gambling.

This act dictates:

licensing requirements
financial controls
reporting obligations
player protection standards
penalties for illegal operations

What Is a Gambling Concession? (Slovenian License)

To legally operate an online casino within Slovenia, a company must obtain:

✔️ Concession for organizing special games of chance

This is the only license available for online casino operation.

To receive this concession, operators must:

be established as a Slovenian company
provide financial guarantees
demonstrate long-term capability to run gambling services
provide systems that meet integrity & technical standards
comply with strict AML and KYC rules
pay concession fees and taxes

Because the criteria are extremely demanding, very few companies ever receive approval.

Can Foreign Companies Apply for a Slovenian License?

Technically yes, but in practice almost impossible.

Foreign operators face these challenges:

❌ Must establish a Slovenian-based company

❌ Must secure local political and regulatory approval

❌ Must meet financial + technical requirements equal to land-based casinos

❌ Concessions are rarely issued and often tied to monopolistic structures

This means Slovenia is a de facto closed market for foreign online casino providers.

Are Foreign Casinos Illegal in Slovenia?

The law makes a clear distinction:

Aspect	Legal Status
Operating in Slovenia without a concession	❌ Illegal
Advertising to Slovenian residents	❌ Illegal
Accepting bets from Slovenian players	❌ Not directly regulated
Slovenian players joining foreign casinos	✔️ Allowed
Penalizing players for offshore gambling	❌ Never happens

So while operators act outside Slovenian law, players themselves are not committing an offense.

Foreign casinos operate in a grey-zone: not explicitly allowed, not aggressively prosecuted.

Website Blocking & Enforcement

Slovenia has the authority to block unlicensed gambling websites.

However:

enforcement is inconsistent,
blocks are often temporary,
offshore casinos easily change domains,
no lasting barriers exist for players.

Therefore, blocking is considered symbolic, not effective.

Advertising Restrictions for Foreign Casinos

Foreign operators cannot legally:

advertise gambling products in Slovenia,
run Google Ads targeting Slovenia with gambling keywords,
use local media for promotions,
sponsor Slovenian sports teams or events,
engage in affiliate marketing within Slovenia.

If caught, operators may face:

large monetary fines,
restrictions by FURS,
blacklisting or domain blocking.

Taxation Rules for Foreign Operators

Licensed Slovenian operators pay:

annual concession fees
gambling tax
corporate tax
reporting obligations

Foreign casinos operating without a license:

do not pay Slovenian gambling tax,
do not submit financial reports,
cannot legally maintain a corporate presence.

However, players may be subject to taxation on certain winnings (covered in a separate article).

Why Slovenia’s Market Is Considered “Closed”

There are four key reasons:

1. Limited number of concessions

The government tightly controls the number of licensed operators.

2. High barriers to entry

Costs, requirements, and political processes discourage foreign applicants.

3. Mandatory local establishment

Foreign entities must operate through a Slovenian company.

4. State protection of existing monopolies

Lottery and sports betting markets are dominated by state-linked organizations.

Future Outlook: Will Slovenia Open Its Market?

Many EU countries have moved toward open licensing systems. Slovenia may eventually follow, but:

no official timeline exists,
political resistance remains strong,
current laws favor incumbents.

Experts expect gradual modernization, but not rapid liberalization.

Key Takeaways for Foreign Operators

Slovenia is one of the strictest EU markets for online gambling operators.
Concessions are extremely rare and difficult to obtain.
Advertising without a license is illegal.
Offshore casinos operate in a gray area but continue to accept Slovenian players.
Players are never penalized for accessing international casino sites.

This means that foreign operators technically cannot enter the market — but players can freely choose where they play.