Bookmakers in CZ

Check the official “Whitelist”

Betting in the Czech Republic is regulated by the Ministry of Finance. To ensure your money is safe, you should only use operators that hold a local licence. Unlicensed sites are frequently blocked by internet service providers, and you have no legal recourse if they refuse to pay out.

To verify a site, you can:

• Search for the “Whitelist of Legal Operators” on the official Ministry of Finance (Ministerstvo financí) website.
• Check the footer of the bookmaker’s website for a Czech licence number.
• Confirm the site uses a .cz domain, which is a common requirement for local operators.

Even if a site appears on international lists, it may still block sign-ups from your location if it lacks the specific Czech permit. Always try to access the registration page first to see if the Czech Republic is listed as a permitted country.

Identity checks and BankID

Czech law requires a strict “Know Your Customer” (KYC) process. When you sign up, you will likely be given a “temporary” account. You must complete full verification within 30 days, or the account will be closed by law and your deposits returned.

Most local punters use BankID for this. This system allows your bank to verify your identity and age instantly, removing the need to visit a physical branch or upload passport photos. Common payment methods include:

• Payment cards (Visa and Mastercard).
• Direct bank transfers via major Czech banks.
• E-wallets such as Skrill or Neteller.
• Paysafecard for cash-based deposits.

Tax on winnings

You should keep a record of your betting activity for tax purposes. In the Czech Republic, winnings from betting are generally exempt from tax for casual punters, but there is a specific threshold you must monitor.

• If your net winnings (total wins minus total stakes) exceed 1,000,000 CZK in a single calendar year, you are liable for a 15% income tax.
• This tax is calculated on your total profit across all betting activities, not on individual winning slips.
• You are responsible for reporting these winnings in your annual tax return if you cross the threshold.

Safer gambling and self-exclusion

The Czech Republic operates a central Register of Excluded Persons (RVO). If you are on this list, all licensed bookmakers are legally required to prevent you from logging in or placing bets.

Licensed sites must also offer you the ability to set personal limits. You should set these as soon as you open your account:

• Daily and monthly deposit limits.
• Maximum loss limits for specific periods.
• Time-out periods and mandatory breaks between sessions.
• Self-exclusion from a specific brand if you feel you are losing control.