Czech Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Slot Machines in Prague

Czech Lawmakers have voted in favor of new decree to ban all electronic and mechanical gaming machines in the Czech capital. The decree awaits nod from the city council.

If it gets the council’s approval, it will mean the end of all legal slot machines and video lottery terminals in the Czech capital once the the current licensing period completes in 2024.

Existing licensed operators will still be able to continue until the end of the licencing period.

Prague councillor Hana Kordová Marvanová agreed that the new move would cause a loss of CZK400m (€15.1m) to the city’s annual tax revenue.

She said: “The issue of regulating the operation of gambling is primarily a question of finding a balanced solution, responding to the development of legislation and modern gaming technologies.

“On one hand, this leaves the citizen free to decide and do business, and on the other hand reduces pathological phenomena associated with gambling.”