Slovakia Appoints Libuša Baranová as New Gambling Regulator Head

Libuša Baranová has been named the new director general of the Office for the Regulation of Gambling (ÚRHH), Slovakia’s gambling regulatory authority. She succeeds Jana Mravíková, marking the second leadership change at the agency this year.

Libuša Baranová Heads Slovakia’s Gambling Regulator

Mravíková stepped into the role earlier this year following the departure of Martin Bohoš, who had held the position of director general since 2019. Upon his exit, Bohoš called for a comprehensive review of Slovakia’s Gambling Act, warning that the current legislation was falling behind the rapid expansion of online casinos and lacked adequate consumer protections.

Leadership changes rarely happen in isolation, and this second reshuffle within a year reflects mounting political pressure surrounding gambling regulation in Slovakia. Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický, who approved Baranová’s appointment, is facing increasing calls to modernise the country’s gambling laws. 

The announcement comes after months of parliamentary debate over whether the existing Gambling Act adequately addresses the challenges of digital wagering and international market dynamics. Slovakia has been having some issues with regulating its gambling scene in the recent past, which has allowed for the proliferation of illegal platforms. One survey from earlier this summer revealed that one in four Slovaks gambled on unlicensed sites, which raised concerns about the real scale of illegal gambling in the Central European republic.

Baranová Arrives at a Key Moment for Slovakia’s Gambling Sector

Baranová takes charge of a regulatory body in flux, facing demands for greater public accountability and policy innovation. Her initial priorities are likely to include enhancing internal transparency, modernizing licensing processes, and strengthening tax alignment between operators and the government.

The expansion of online platforms, the introduction of new payment methods, and the rise of affiliate marketing have reshaped Slovakia’s gambling landscape. However, legislation has struggled to keep pace, creating uncertainty for both operators and regulators.

According to the ÚRHH’s annual report, gambling turnover in Slovakia reached EUR 24.2 billion (approx. $25.6 billion) in 2024, marking a 14% year-on-year increase. Online gambling accounted for EUR 12.8 billion (approx. $13.6 billion) in bets, while land-based gambling generated EUR 8.92 billion (approx. $9.4 billion), including EUR 6.14 billion (approx. $6.5 billion) from gaming halls and EUR 2.78 billion (approx. $2.9 billion) from casinos.

With new leadership at the helm, the spotlight is now on whether the ÚRHH can deliver the stability the market demands. The year ahead will challenge the government to confront underlying structural issues, rather than continue addressing only their symptoms. If these efforts succeed, Slovakia has the potential to position itself as a stronger and more credible regulatory force within Europe’s shifting gambling landscape.