Slovenian government in January 2025 presented a draft new strategies for the development of gamblingwhich could fundamentally change the market for classic and special gambling. Key proposals include partial privatisation of casinos, the opening of the sports betting market and the possibility of entry of foreign supplierswhich could have wide-ranging implications also for online casino market in Slovenia.
The State could sell stakes in physical casinos
After more than 14 years of unchanged regulation, the new strategy - developed with the help of a Brussels law firm specialising in gambling - should allow:
- privatisation of casinoscurrently majority state-owned (e.g. HIT, Casino Portorož),
- entry of foreign companies from the EEA (European Economic Area)
- Opening of the sports betting market to three providers through a public call for tenders.
This would mean the decline of state monopoly and move to a more open, market-oriented system - like those already in place in Italy, Croatia and Austria.
Impact on online casinos
Although the strategy at first sight refers to physical casinos, the changes will inevitably have an impact on the online environment. It is currently online special gambling (online casinos) only Slovenian companies with majority state ownership are allowed - in practice this means a monopoly of physical casinos, which also have an online branch.
Key changes for online casinos:
- Foreign online casinos could gain official licences in Slovenia (via local branches)
- Reduced regulatory hurdle would mean more competitionwhich would benefit players (better bonuses, more providers, more transparency).
- Slovenian players could be played at legally registered foreign providersinstead of searching among "grey" foreign sites without a domestic licence.
What does this mean for the Slovenian iGaming scene?
Positive effects:
- More competition = better conditions for players (lower house edge, higher bonuses, localised offer)
- Legalisation of now-banned foreign online casinossuch as Bet365, Unibet, LeoVegas
- Greater tax transparency: Slovenian tax liability could be imposed on foreign providers
- Opportunity for new local start-ups in gambling, which no longer requires state co-ownership
Negative impacts/challenges:
- Abolition of state monopoly means less direct revenue to the budget (although they could be offset by taxes)
- Increased exposure to gambling risks, so the key will be what safeguards it puts in place Legislation (responsible gaming, limits, SELF-EXCLUSION)
- Possible sale of Hit and other casinos to foreigners would mean that the Slovenian iGaming identity would be in foreign hands
What's next?
The new strategy has not yet been confirmed - as promised by the Treasury, it will be public consultation, which will be open to both players and operators. If the strategy is confirmed, it will be the first time in Slovenia's historythat the online gambling market will actually liberalised and open to foreigners.
Conclusion
Although it is (for now) still a draft, it is clear that the government is no longer prepared to defend the state monopoly at all costs. For online casino industry this means a potential revolution - for both domestic and foreign operators. But the key question remains: will the legislation be designed to protect players while allowing for a competitive, transparent and innovative environment?
