| Updated: September 26, 2025With its medieval castles and breathtaking scenery, the Czech Republic attracts tourists from all corners of the world. Although it is not the most affluent country in the European Union, the Czech Republic boasts a stable economy. Czechs are also known for their passion for sports. Football and ice hockey are the nation’s most popular sports.
Many locals bet on sports, which helps explain why the industry is thriving in the country. Both online and land-based sports betting activities are legal in the Czech Republic, with the Ministry of Finance overseeing the industry and issuing licenses to both domestic and international operators.
Best Sports Betting Sites in the Czech Republic
For years, international sportsbooks were not allowed to operate on Czech soil. However, in 2017, Act No. 186/2016 on Games of Chance – also known as the Gambling Act – was enacted, establishing licensing conditions for international operators. Still, the choice of licensed betting sites is quite limited because of the strict requirements imposed on operators.
Nevertheless, the country does not prosecute or penalize sports fans who wager through offshore betting sites. As a result, many Czechs prefer these sportsbooks because they provide generous promotions, competitive odds, and numerous betting markets. Most of them even accept the Czech koruna (CZK), allowing bettors to avoid currency conversion fees. If you are interested in the best online sportsbooks that welcome players from the Czech Republic, check the list below.
Best Sports Betting Bonuses in the Czech Republic
The number of online sportsbooks licensed to operate in the Czech Republic is quite limited. Domestic betting sites do offer bonuses, but the promotions at international sportsbooks are usually more generous. Below, we outline some of the most common sports betting bonuses available to Czech punters.
Match Deposit Bonus Free Bets Risk-Free Bets Boosted OddsMatch Deposit Bonus
To give you a head start on your betting session, some Czech-friendly sportsbooks will match your first deposit by a certain percentage up to a specified amount. Sports fans must make a minimum deposit to qualify for the promotion. In addition, match deposit bonuses usually come with wagering requirements that must be met within a designated timeframe. While playing with an active bonus, bettors must also comply with a minimum-odds requirement.
Free Bets
Another lucrative sports betting bonus is free bets. Although you cannot withdraw the money from your free bet, you can use it to place wagers on various sporting events and potentially win cash. If your bet loses, your bankroll remains unchanged. Punters may need to deposit or wager a specific amount before they can claim a free bet bonus.
Risk-Free Bets
Many sports betting sites that cater to Czech punters offer risk-free bet promotions. With this bonus, you can get your stake back if your bet loses. The refund is usually credited to your account as free bets or cashback.
Boosted Odds
Sportsbooks often increase the odds on popular betting markets to capture the attention of newcomers and encourage existing punters to place wagers. Enhanced odds give bettors the opportunity to earn more without increasing the amount of risk involved.
Betting Regulation in the Czech Republic
Czechoslovakia remained a satellite state of the USSR until 1989. Although all forms of gambling were illegal in former Czechoslovakia, horse racing betting was a popular pastime. In early 1990, the sports betting industry began to grow faster than ever before, paving the way for a properly regulated market.
In May 1990, the Law on Lotteries and Other Like Games (Lotteries Act) was passed, formally legalizing sports betting. Soon after the legislation came into force, the first betting office, Fortuna, opened in Prague. Only a year later, Tipsport was founded in Beroun. These two brands remain the most popular bookmakers in the country. For a short period, many more betting shops were established across the Czech Republic. Foreign bookmakers also entered the market and were allowed to operate without paying taxes.
The Legal Status of Online Sports Betting in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic Raises Gambling Tax Responsible Gambling Measures in the Czech RepublicThe Legal Status of Online Sports Betting in the Czech Republic
In 2012, the Czech Republic introduced significant changes to its gambling laws. Under the new rules, foreign operators must have a physical address in the Czech Republic to be eligible for a license. However, these provisions were in clear violation of EU laws, so legislators were forced to amend them.
In January 2017, Act No. 186/2016 Coll was signed into law. Under this legislation, online sportsbooks must obtain a basic license from the Ministry of Finance to operate in the Czech Republic. There is no cap on the number of licenses that can be issued. The licensing procedure may take 30 to 60 days, and operators must renew their licenses every six years.
Although the fee for a basic license is just CZK5,000, the licensing conditions are difficult to meet. Betting companies must be based in an EU or EEA member state, and licensed sports betting platforms must be available in the Czech language.
The Czech Republic Raises Gambling Tax
In 2019, the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Finance announced that taxes on certain forms of gambling, including sports betting, would increase. Beginning in January 2020, operators that provide fixed-odds betting are taxed at 25%. In addition, gambling winnings are subject to a 15% annual tax. You must pay this tax only if your winnings from a particular gambling type, together with the amount wagered on that type, exceed CZK1,000,000.
Stringent licensing conditions and burdensome fees have made the Czech sports betting market less appealing to foreign operators, which is why licensed betting sites are relatively limited in number. Nevertheless, Czech gambling law does not prosecute sports fans for accessing foreign sportsbooks. Many Czech bettors prefer international operators because they typically offer more generous promotions, a wider range of betting markets, and more competitive odds.
Responsible Gambling Measures in the Czech Republic
As of this writing, only five Czech-based online betting sites are authorized to operate in the country. Czech punters who wish to open an account with a licensed online sportsbook must visit a physical betting shop, a measure introduced to prevent underage gambling. On that note, the minimum age for all forms of gambling in the Czech Republic is 18.
Czech punters who choose to bet through a licensed sportsbook must verify the payment method they use to deposit and withdraw funds. Under the Czech Gambling Act, the maximum amount sports fans can deposit or withdraw at land-based betting shops is CZK5,000, although there is no limit on cashless transactions. Czech bettors are also required to set deposit limits to mitigate the risk of gambling problems.
Gambling commercials are regulated by Act No. 40/1995 Coll, which states that advertisements must not portray gambling as a source of income, must not target minors, and must display the following warning text: “Ministry of Finance cautions: Participation in gambling activities may lead to addiction!”