Overview and Legal Status of Online Gambling in Slovenia
Slovenia was one of the first Eastern European countries to host a casino. Today, it has a gambling market size of $201 million in 2024, which is expected to grow in the next five years, with online gambling having the potential to be the primary driver of that increase. Here’s how Slovenia went from one casino in 1913 to a potentially booming online gaming scene:
- Grand Casino Portorož opened in 1913 and was a huge hit with people spending their summer holidays on the Adriatic Coast.
- Gambling tourism took off in the 1960s as many venues opened their doors to Italian tourists who contributed significantly to the economy (and the country’s gambling legacy).
- Slovenia, as an independent state, legalised land-based gambling activities in 1995 when the Gambling Act was adopted.
- The Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS) is in charge of issuing gambling licences and overseeing the market.
- Slovenia currently has a cap of 15 gambling concessions for land-based casinos and 45 licences for special games of chance (slot machine parlours).
- Online gambling is legal but heavily regulated. Under EU guidance, Slovenia initiated efforts to open the market to more operators, and a new draft act is ready and waiting for parliamentary approval.