In Slovakia, sports betting is really popular and, as in most of the world, a significant part of betting has moved from brick-and-mortar places to the online space. Slovakia has approximately 6 million inhabitants, so it is one of the smaller markets. On the other hand, however, we are seeing a great increase in interest in making online bets, thanks to which more and more people are finding their way to online betting offices.
Before a player chooses a particular bookmaker, there are several factors to consider. To help players out, here are the best sports betting sites in Slovakia for 2023, how to find them, how to use them, and much more.
The online gambling market is subject to quite frequent changes and legislation in this area is frequently updated. It is therefore important to constantly monitor the current situation and behave in accordance with the currently valid legal regulations.
The situation in Slovakia has also changed several times in recent years. On the territory of the Slovak Republic, online gambling is currently legal. However, this change took place only recently as the law regulating these changes came into force at the beginning of 2019. From this moment, licenses can be issued to operators in the field of online gambling.
The Gambling Regulation Office is responsible for issuing licenses and also for regulating betting offices and casinos. In the event that it is not possible to access the website of the given operator from the territory of Slovakia, players use the option of VPN (a virtual private network), thanks to which this access is enabled and they can also play through foreign betting offices.
The Office for the Regulation of Gambling Games also has the task of monitoring betting offices and ensuring that their activities are in accordance with the issued license. It is interesting that this office was established only at the beginning of 2019 and assumes all duties and rights in the field of gambling regulation, except for the creation of legislation itself.
However, the creation of laws related to gambling in Slovakia no longer falls under the authority of this office. Laws in this area, as well as in any other, are within the competence of the Parliament on the territory of the Slovak Republic. Draft laws can also be submitted by ministries, and many other organizations have the opportunity to comment on these laws.
Another important issue is also the issue of taxation of gambling winnings. Currently, players do not have to tax their winnings from gambling activities, which they obtained in Slovakia. However, the conditions are different for legal entities. If you receive the winnings as a business, you must tax them as income.
Here, however, it is necessary to mention that there is talk of changes in this area in Slovakia. It is, therefore, possible that in the near future the situation in the field of taxation of winnings from online gambling will change and players will have to tax their winnings.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Slovakia?
Online betting on sports in Slovakia is legal when done on domestic websites. Players can access foreign betting sites with the use of VPNs. No taxation is included.
When looking for the best sports betting sites in Slovakia, bettors should strive to prioritize quality over quantity. The basic criterion is that the betting office in question must hold a license. This means that he must be authorized to provide betting services on the Slovak market. Other criteria include security, site quality, customer experience, registration process, bonuses, loyalty programs, the difficulty of depositing and withdrawing funds, mobile applications, live play capabilities, reputation, and customer support.
The operator should use data encryption on its website, which will keep sensitive client data safe. Today, such encryption should be considered “mandatory equipment” for a betting office that wants to provide customers in Slovakia with a level of service. Betting online should be safe.
One of the other important functions is also the provision of assistance, which is necessary in case of dispute resolution. There are organizations that ensure that fair and just play is observed. These organizations include eCOGRA, EGBA, ESSA, iTechLabs, GLI, Thawte, IBAS, GamCare, and GamStop, among others. If a player wants to find out how his favorite operator is doing, just visit the bottom of their website, where the logos of these companies are listed.
The experience that the player gets from the bookmaker’s website is influenced by several factors. The quality of the operator’s website and the customer service that the bookmaker provides to its players are certainly among the most important.
Before a player creates an account with a particular online operator, he should first of all test how he likes the website, how he navigates it, and whether it is intuitive enough. You should also read reviews from other users and get a slightly different perspective on things.
Ratings of other players are certainly useful and it is advisable to study them, but of course, the opinion of the player himself is the most important. Everyone is comfortable with something different, so it’s up to you which bookmaker you choose.
Among the most important criteria that you should take into account when choosing the right sports betting site in Slovakia for you is the reputation of the given operator. It can tell you a lot about whether it is a reliable operator that will fulfill all its obligations or one that has a problem with its obligations. Considering that you are entrusting your funds to an online bookmaker, it is really very important that you find a very reliable partner.
One of the best ways to check the reputation of a given operator is certainly to study the reviews of customers who have experience with them. It is ideal if a large amount of information can be obtained over a longer period of time. In this way, you can verify that the given betting office or casino is a long-term solvent and reliable partner in the field of gambling.
One of the ways to verify at least the most important thing even with new operators on the market is to verify that they are the holder of the relevant license. Due to how strictly the online gambling market is regulated today, the license should be a guarantee of solvency and that the operator is able to fulfill its obligations and will be a good partner.
Nowadays, the availability of a mobile version of an online bookmaker is very important. More and more players are looking for this form of gambling, and of course operators are trying to adapt their offers to it. Thanks to this, most of them today offer at least some form of mobile gaming.
Mobile versions can be divided into two basic versions. Either it is a mobile version of the betting office or a separate mobile application. There are a large number of operators that offer both of these options to their players, which is great because you can choose what suits you better. Mobile apps are more popular, but there are also a number of players who prefer the mobile version of the online operator’s website.
The mobile application is, as we have already mentioned, probably the best option for mobile gaming. However, its creation is also the most financially demanding, which is why only the largest online operators or those who focus on mobile gaming can afford it. If you have a mobile device with the iOS operating system, you can download the mobile application of that operator from the App Store. In the case of the Android operating system, it is a little more complicated. Due to Google’s restrictions on betting apps, it is not possible to download them from the Google Play Store. Players must download Android applications from the website of the betting office.
Quality customer service should also be something that you should consider as an important factor when choosing a suitable sports betting site in Slovakia. In case you encounter any problems while playing or need expert advice, quality customer service can be very important to you.
In this case, it is also most appropriate to read the reviews of players who have experience with the given operator. Today, betting offices and online casinos largely provide really high-quality and well-founded customer service. An important factor that you should consider is definitely the methods available to communicate with the customer service staff. Among the most popular and used methods are communication using chat directly on the operator’s website, email, telephone communication, contact form, and the section of frequently asked questions. The fastest and most effective forms of communication include chat and telephone communication, where feedback is immediate.
It is also important in which languages the customer service is available. English and other world languages are the basis, which can be found in almost every high-quality betting office. The good news, however, is that many operators today also offer their services in Slovak or Czech, so even those who are less fluent in the language can understand each other without much trouble.
Once you have chosen the right online bookmaker, you need to register on their website and create your account. Here are the specific points you should do:
Fill in all the necessary data in the registration section.
Different operators offer different options for claiming a bonus, by default you need to claim your claim directly during registration on the respective operator’s website.
Choose the payment method that suits you and the amount you want to deposit into your player account.
Visit the matches section and take a good look at what courses the online operator offers.
Choose what exactly you want to place your bet on and also decide how much money you want to put into the bet.
If your bet wins, you can withdraw your winnings from your player account. You can do so by using one of the available payment methods for withdrawals.
The best online sports betting sites in Slovakia try to offer players the maximum possible solutions. Major companies consider at least 20 sports. The operators have in their current offer all the disciplines that are popular among Slovaks. The final list includes:
Popular betting companies also focus on UFC matches, cricket, MMA, volleyball, badminton, and other disciplines. Companies are trying to diversify their current offer with eSports. The best bookmakers on this list offer the possibility to bet on the results of eSports:
Online football betting is in first place among Slovak players. Companies look at matches from popular and smaller tournaments. Bookmakers in the country are ready to offer the best overview of matches from the mentioned sport. Companies consider all tournaments interesting for Slovaks:
For these matches, companies create the best markets. In some betting offices, the offer reaches more than 200 possible results. Companies offer dozens of variants of results:
Online sports betting with major bookmakers is attractive due to the variety of available markets. Bookmakers can offer matches based on statistics. Bets on corner kicks, shots on goal, offsides, and touchdowns appear on the company table.
The depth of match information increases with the popularity of the match. The maximum available betting options are provided by the company for the matches of famous championships and international matches.
More than 50% of Slovak players place live bets. The reason for this popularity is the possibility to improve the quality of forecasts. The gaming client watches the match live, determines the teams’ options, and places a bet.
Online betting offices in Slovakia accept bets on live events. All available matches are listed in a separate section. In order to improve the quality of the game, the operators have added statistical tracking and visualization services. Some matches are broadcast live.
As you surely already know, when betting on a sports betting site in Slovakia, you have the option of placing bets on various sports, meetings, but also betting opportunities. We can include, for example, the even/odd bet, which is a bet on the total number of points, goals or games. This bet can be placed on the whole match or on a part of it. Some popular betting opportunities are specific to certain sports.
For example, for hockey and football, they are the following:
For tennis, they are the following:
Handicaps, bets on the number of goals in a match, bets on the number of goals/points in a certain time frame, and bets on the next goal are especially popular in Slovakia. There are different types of bets that can be placed. Among the most popular are the following types of bets:
Bet on one betting opportunity, there is one match on the ticket.
Multiple bets on one ticket, the maximum possible number of bets on a ticket varies according to the specific bookmaker. The winning is if all the tips on the ticket are correct.
In the case of a system bet, you conclude one ticket on which there are several bets or combinations of bets. If all your bets on the ticket are correct, you will win the full amount. In unsuccessful bets, you can still win if you have guessed at least one combination.
A bet on American football or basketball consisting of 2 to 7 events
A ticket with 2 to 12 simple bets with a condition.
With the help of multi-bet, you can reduce the risk of multiple bets by covering several possible outcomes of a given match.
These types of bets are offered today by almost all bookmakers in Slovakia and on the global market.
Live bets are also very popular today. As is clear from the name, these are bets that are made during the given match and not before it starts. There are several reasons why they have become so popular among players. One of the main ones is definitely the unique gaming experience they offer. Unlike standard pre-match bets, you will experience a completely different dimension of adrenaline with live bets.
You have to make quick decisions and you can make quite a lot of bets within a match. You usually don’t have to wait very long for the result of your bet either. What’s also great is that if the match goes differently than you expected, you can promptly react to its progress and adapt your other closed bets accordingly. It is therefore quite understandable that live bets are really popular among players today.
The good news is that today we can find the option of live bets on the websites of almost every high-quality online betting site in Slovakia, so there is really a lot to choose from.
How betting odds work may seem like a banal question, but most bettors do not know the exact answer. Let’s find out who and how creates the odds and what determines their amount, and what that magical number – the betting odds – even reflects.
Betting odds reflect a probability of an outcome. This is exactly how you can easily and briefly define the betting odds and thus the whole essence of them. On the one hand, the bookmaker (sports betting site in Slovakia) creates odds for various events, and the betting company is opposed by its client – or the bettor.
The main task of the client is to guess the result of the selected bet, and if the tip is correct, the deposit x odds determine the bettor’s winnings. Otherwise (incorrect tip), the bet amount goes to the bookmaker’s account.
Both have a common goal and that is to make money. While bookmakers have top experts in their ranks along with the most modern software and technical facilities, the bettor has to rely primarily on himself and his good judgment/intuition. Who has the upper hand in this fight and why, we will explain right now?
The bettor doesn’t have much chance of beating the bookies in the long run. The entire system is set up by bookmakers in such a way that they make money regardless of the results of individual matches. Every punter should accept this fact. Understanding the principle of sports betting, for example, will help him overcome a period of failure more easily.
The work of bookmakers consists in listing the most realistic odds possible, from which they simultaneously deduct their margin. It is here that the apparent gap between the bookmaker and the punters who are looking for a suitable betting opportunity arises. The specific amount of the margin is different in each betting office, but without it they would hardly profit. After creating a fair distribution of the probability of results, the company deducts its “tax” and only in this form lists the courses for the public.
For an illustrative example, we have chosen the hit of the German Bundesliga between the 1st and 2nd best teams of the competition, i.e. the match Bayern vs. RB Leipzig.
In the first line, the pre-match odds are listed with the margin (that is, as we all know them), in the second the approximate level of the odds before the margin (unfortunately for the sports bettor, it will not be included in the offer), in this case hypothetically increased by 7%. The match without margin represents the probability of the result that is closest to reality.
1 – home win
X – draw
2 – away win
Odds with a margin
1 – 1.41
X – 4.70
2 – 7.30
Odds without margin
1 – 1.51
X – 5.05
2 – 7.80
Even a bettor can earn long-term. In addition to the bookmaker’s margin, the bettor must look for those that have added value from his point of view – value betting. The freedom to choose not only the matches but also the betting offices themselves is the biggest trump card for punters. The more right decisions you make, the higher your profits can be. When you add the necessary pinch of luck, there can be hundreds of thousands of winnings!
The bonus and promotions section is now almost an integral part of every online betting site in Slovakia. Bookmakers use bonus rewards to attract customers. The amount and conditions of winnings are individual in each company. The final offers are determined according to the current marketing policy of the office.
Probably the first bonus you will come across on the website of an online operator is the so-called welcome bonus or entry bonus. You can get this bonus mostly when you make your first deposit to your player account. The great thing is that today the entry bonus is really generous with most operators. Many of them will offer you a bonus that will increase your first deposit by up to 100%.
However, it is of course necessary to take several things into account. These include, for example, wagering requirements, which tell you how many times you need to bet your bonus funds before they become full-fledged funds that you can treat as you wish. Another important figure to keep track of is the time period within which you have to fulfill the given break requirements. You should find all the necessary information related to the given bonus in its rules and conditions.
Another popular bonus is the so-called reload bonus. This bonus can take different forms, but basically, it is a similar bonus to the entrance bonus. The difference, however, is that it is provided to existing players in the given bookmaker and usually has a lower value than 100%.
Undoubtedly, free bets also belong to the extended forms of bonuses at sports bettings sites in Slovakia. A free bet is, as its name suggests, a bet that the operator offers you for free. It is used as a reward in various promotions and it is only up to the bookmaker itself to determine the more precise conditions (value of the free bet, etc.).
Cashback is the return of part of the loss to the client. Funds are more often obtained through bonus points. To transfer money to a real balance, you must meet the wagering requirements. The rules relate to the type of bets and odds. The sports betting sites in Slovakia calculate the cashback for the observed period (week or month). If the client remained in excess during the specified time, compensation is not provided. The shorter the reporting period, the better for the player. Sometimes the operators return to the account part of the amount that you lost with free bets or with real money.
A risk-free bet is a bet with the possibility of a refund in the event of a loss. Bookmakers use this type of promotion for certain sports or markets. They can offer this type of promotion, for example, for exact results and time matches. Some clubs provide risk-free bets on packages with more than 5 events in a bet slip. If the client does not guess 1 of the results, the promotion will be triggered. Refunds are more often provided in the form of free bets or bonus points. Real money is rare.
Loyalty programs, which can take different forms, are a fixed part of almost every betting office. Some operators offer various promotions as part of their loyalty program, which is intended exclusively for members. Others offer, for example, the possibility of obtaining loyalty points, which players can then convert either into funds or for example free spins, free bets, or various other benefits.
Betting companies create a system of privileges for different levels of customers. The higher the rating, the more advantageous the offers for the user. If you want to advance to a higher level, you must prove the bet turnover determined by the authority.
In general, we can say that being part of a given operator’s loyalty program pays off for the player. Participation in such a loyalty program is usually relatively simple and only basic conditions need to be met. Some operators include their players in the loyalty program immediately after registering an account on their website. The benefits that players derive from participating in the loyalty program, in the vast majority of cases, significantly exceed what the player has to fulfill.
There are many options for depositing or withdrawing money at sports betting sites in Slovakia. You can then choose the one that suits you best. In this excerpt, we summarize the most used online payment methods. This includes payment cards, e.g. MasterCard, Visa, and more. There are also e-payments (bank transfers) and electronic wallets (Paypal, Skrill, Neteller). Payment method Western Union or prepaid cards such as (Revolut, Paysafecard).
Payments in bookmakers are set to take place as quickly as possible. When you deposit in a bookmaker, the money is credited to you within a few seconds. For this feature, it is most convenient to use an electronic wallet.
Another quick and easy option is to use a payment card, but the deposit may be charged. The most complicated payment method is the help of a bank transfer. The transaction time is several days, and you also have to write out a payment order and log in to internet banking.
✅ Payment Cards – When betting in Slovakia, payment cards are most often used to make a deposit. This payment method is simple and fast. When depositing using a payment card, a small fee is often charged, but sometimes it is free of charge. It depends on the type of bank you use, each has individually set conditions.
The most used card is VISA. It allows you to send payments anywhere. You can also deposit with a MasterCard, but sometimes you cannot withdraw from the bookmaker, so you have to choose in a different way. VISA Electron is also used, with which payment abroad is often problematic.
For withdrawals by payment cards, the waiting time is 2-5 working days. The waiting time depends mainly on your bookmaker.
✅ Internet Wallets – They are funds intended for deposits, and transfers of funds from a credit card or bank account to certain programs. For example, if you are trying to make a purchase through a foreign sports betting site, it is often risky to use your credit card because it can lead to data theft and subsequent misuse.
In order to prevent these unpleasant events, internet wallets were created. Setting up such electronic wallets is usually quick and easy. Among the most famous are the ones mentioned above (Paypal, Skrill, Neteller).
✅ Paypal – Enables secure online payment by bank transfer or card. You need to have an email address to register. After registration, you can also add more payment cards, which must have internet payments enabled. One of the most important pieces of information, for us tipsters, is that PayPal unfortunately does not support betting transactions in Slovakia but can be used for foreign betting sites.
Advantages of Paypal:
Disadvantages:
✅ Skrill – In the past also known as MoneyBookers, it is, in our opinion, the best online wallet available in Slovakia. Together with the aforementioned Paypal, they belong to the largest payment systems on the Internet. You also only need an email address to create an account. You can apply for a Skrill Prepaid MasterCard after opening an account. You can pay with it both in stores and on the Internet.
Skrill’s biggest advantage over Paypal is that it supports betting and gambling. The principle for sending money to a bookmaker is simple.
Advantages of Skrill:
Disadvantages:
✅ Revolut – It is a relatively new electronic wallet. It is already available in Slovakia and ranks among the revolutionary novelties. Creating an account and installing the app is easy. The application can also be downloaded in the Slovak language. After opening the account, it is necessary to deposit €10 as a fee for sending the card. It is usually delivered to your address within 8-10 working days. The payment card is the biggest advantage of Revolut. You can choose a physical or virtual card. The virtual card is mainly used for online payments.
Advantages of Revolut:
Disadvantages:
✅ Neteller – It is an electronic wallet similar to Skrill with a difference – Neteller has higher fees. After creating an account, you must verify your identity before you can fully use your account. After verification, you can also set up your own payment card. You can then use it for withdrawals from any ATMs as well as for purchases in stores that accept MasterCard payments.
Advantages of Neteller:
Disadvantages:
✅ Bank Transfers – You can also use bank transfers to transfer money to and from sports betting sites in Slovakia. Relatively the biggest disadvantage of this option is the duration of the transaction, which is why we recommend creating an electronic wallet as soon as possible. Despite this significant disadvantage, many of us still prefer this method. You can use the transfer from the bank via internet banking or when you submit an order for payment at the bank. But don’t forget the variable symbol that identifies the payment.
The fees associated with national or international bank transfers are determined individually by each bank. It is a good idea to study international bank transfers in particular before the transaction so that you are not unpleasantly surprised. The surcharge can reach up to tens of EUR.
✅ Prepaid Cards – They are similar to credit cards, but they are not tied to a specific bank account. Paying with these cards is extremely easy. Just enter the PIN code that you receive together with the card and there is no need to enter any data. You can also set up a virtual prepaid card, which is used exclusively for internet payments. The disadvantage is that you cannot pay with it at brick-and-mortar stores, since you do not physically own it, nor withdraw winnings.
✅ Western Union – It is a global American company whose function is personal money transfers. Payment is made by filling out the form, which is then handed over with the money and the fee at the company’s branch. The fees included in the payment are a big disadvantage. Compared to other payment methods, Western Union is the most expensive, and therefore we do not recommend it.
What Is the Best Payment Option for Slovak Players?
When gambling at domestic sports betting sites in Slovakia, credit cards are often the most desired option due to ease of use, availability, and generally great services overall. For foreign sports betting sites, e-wallets are a must.
Gambling is legal but limited to national gambling houses.
There are many legal and licensed gaming houses in Slovakia and accessing them will make the gambling experience as safe as possible.
Sports betting is legal in Slovakia and therefore there will be many safe bookmakers. It is necessary to look for legal bookmakers.
Each bookmaker will set different deposit limits. Checking them out before joining a bookmaker.
Luckily, there are no taxes to be paid in Slovakia but this might change in the near future.
Every banking option will have different withdrawal time limits. The fastest ones are electronic payments while bank transfers can take over one week.
All bettors will look for something specific and a variety of sports betting sites in Slovakia will facilitate the situation. It is always recommended to go with betting sites that offer services based on your needs.
Dozens of sports are present in Slovakia to be bet on, the most popular being football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, handball, eSports, and many more.
Football is by far the most popular sport among Slovak bettors.
Like in most European countries, odds are presented in decimal numbers. The summary of odds multiplied by the stake will present the final winnings.
Many sportsbooks will offer free bets in some form but such bonuses are often quite low. Still, they are always worth collecting.
Easy – simply create a betting account. Upon registration, you will be awarded a sign-up bonus either immediately or after the first deposit.
All gambling houses must provide help to all players who suffer from gambling addiction, according to the law. In addition, there is always an option to seek professional help from local psychotherapists.
🔎 Looking for casino sites? Here are the best casino sites in Slovakia.
