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Czech Republic Could Legalize Online Gambling

As iGamingBusiness Magazine reported, the Czech Republic has an intention to legalize online gambling. "The five biggest bookmakers in the Czech Republic could be about to receive permits from the Finance Ministry to offer online gambling following years of lobbying and promises to prevent minors from betting on their sites”, informed this leading magazine specializing on the global interactive gaming and gambling.

At the moment there are no regulations restricting online gambling in the Czech Republic. Taking in consideration this fact it is possible to conclude that this business is illegal, although nobody can prevent Czechs of using foreign betting and gambling web-services. Tomas Bahnik, a representative of Czech company Fortuna Group specializing on sports betting, games and lotteries, reported Radio Praha recently that his company loses about several hundred million Euros per year due to such situation.

Mr. Bahnik expressed his regret: "We are sad and bitter that foreign Internet betting companies are allowed to operate in the Czech Republic without any control. There is no legal restriction. So, basically they operate in this country illegally. So we want to have the same opportunities as foreign companies.” Recently Fortuna Group had made an application to the Finance Ministry for obtaining a license for online gambling and betting services. "'Internet betting is officially allowed from January 5, so I hope we will be prepared and ready to start right from this date,” stated Mr. Bahnik.

Photo: by Jam Adams (wikimedia.org)

Date: 06/01/2009