Czechs wager CZK 510.6 billion on gambling in first half of 2025

Gambling activity in the Czech Republic reached CZK 510.6 billion in the first six months of this year, according to data from the Financial Administration on gambling tax receipts. The volume of bets rose by 9.5 percent year-on-year, with growth recorded across most categories except odds betting. Winnings paid out to players increased by 9.7 percent to CZK 477.5 billion, while operators contributed CZK 10.8 billion in gambling tax.

Technical games, primarily slot machines, remained by far the largest segment. Players staked CZK 402.3 billion in these games, accounting for nearly 79 percent of all bets, a year-on-year increase of 9.5 percent. Winnings in this category totalled CZK 384.3 billion, also up 9.6 percent.

Odds betting was the only segment to see a decline. Bets amounted to CZK 70 billion in the first half of 2025, down 2.2 percent compared with the same period in 2024. Payouts in this segment fell 2.8 percent to CZK 62 billion.

Live games such as roulette, dice, and poker showed the strongest growth. Bets surged to CZK 26.1 billion, a year-on-year rise of 69 percent. Winnings in live games grew by 74.5 percent to CZK 23.9 billion.

Lotteries remained a small segment of the market. Czechs spent CZK 12.3 billion on lottery products, representing 2.4 percent of all gambling deposits. Winnings in lotteries reached CZK 7.3 billion. Other forms of gambling, such as bingo, raffles, or small tournaments, accounted for only a negligible share.

Overall, gambling in the Czech Republic continued its upward trajectory in early 2025, with growth in both bets and payouts despite ongoing concerns about problem gambling and regulatory oversight.

Source: CTK