Autonomy in Gaming Legislation Granted to Prague by Court Decision in Czech Republic
Prague Sets Path for District-Led Gambling Regulations
Following a decision by the Czech Constitutional Court, Prague district authorities have been granted the power to self-regulate gambling within their jurisdictions. Effective immediately, the 57 Prague districts can set their own rules regarding poker games, roulette, blackjack, and other dice and card games.
The ruling upholds the Czech gambling regulation of 2021, which permits live casino games in Prague but prohibits slot machines citywide. The Court rejected the appeal by the Ministry of the Interior and the Czech Office for Competition Protection, deeming the regulations compliant with the Czech Gambling Act of 2016.
Now, Prague districts can exercise their autonomy to establish local regulations, taking into account concerns about gambling addiction and public opinion. A total of 41 districts have opted for a ban on live casino games, while others have imposed restrictions on gambling venue opening hours.
The Court's decision acknowledges the need for varying regulations across Prague to address distinct challenges in each neighborhood. The ruling emphasizes the legal basis for separating the city into districts for regulatory purposes, with each district permitted to establish regulations suitable to its particular circumstances.
Judge Milan Hulmák, however, expressed reservations about this disparity, suggesting a lack of justification for differing regulations within Prague.
Czech gambling operators have recently come under pressure due to an ongoing tax evasion investigation by the Czech financial authority. The investigation, which covers the years 2021 and 2022, has resulted in demands for approximately 22 million euros in back taxes, with additional penalties for false statements made to the tax authority. The specific companies involved in the investigation were not disclosed.
The Prague city council welcomes the Constitutional Court's decision, viewing it as an essential step towards greater self-determination for each district and better population protection.
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What will the regulations on gambling be like in different Prague districts, given their newfound autonomy? It seems that politics and general-news factors, such as concerns about gambling addiction and public opinion, will play a significant role in shaping these district-specific governments' decisions.
