Slovenia's Ministry of Finance to Revamp Gambling Regulations

Slovenia's Ministry of Finance has recently announced its intention to conduct a thorough review of the country's gambling strategy, a move that has captured the attention of the gambling industry and enthusiasts alike. The current regulations, established on December 16, 2010, are now under scrutiny as the ministry seeks to modernize and implement "further systemic changes" within the sector.

Among the key areas to be addressed in the updated strategy are the processes related to granting concessions and the formulation of responsible gambling rules. To facilitate this comprehensive review, the ministry plans to enlist the expertise of an external, independent contractor. This contractor will craft proposals based on a comprehensive analysis of Slovenia's gambling landscape, taking into account regulations in other European Union states and the legal precedents set by the EU Court of Justice.

The ministry stated, "The activity of arranging games of chance can significantly impact economic and tourism development, and it can affect society uniquely, unlike other economic activities." In light of this, the ministry aims to amend the existing legal framework governing games of chance, with the goal of offering a sustainable and internationally competitive range of gaming options that complement Slovenia's tourism industry while addressing domestic demand and minimizing the risks associated with problem gambling.

Moreover, the ministry intends to make these proposed changes available for public consultation, ensuring transparency and engagement with all stakeholders.

The decision to review Slovenia's gambling regulations coincides with a growing interest in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region by international gaming companies. Earlier this year, both Entain and SuperBet vied for the acquisition of Slovenia's sports betting monopoly, Športna Loterija, though they withdrew from the competition in July. Reports suggest that the operators were willing to offer €50 million in exchange for a 100% stake in Športna Loterija.

Entain's involvement in the CEE region extends beyond Slovenia, as the company recently acquired Poland's STS Holding in a £750 million deal that concluded in August. Mikolaj Cymerman, Head of Corporate Development at Entain's CEE division, indicated that this is just one of several strategic moves planned by the company in the CEE region. Notably, Entain CEE had previously acquired the Croatian market leader, SuperSport, in the preceding year.