Poker enthusiasts in the Czech Republic are eagerly awaiting the arrival of GGPoker, which was set to open in the country after securing a license in early 2023.
However, the long-awaited opening could be postponed indefinitely. In early 2023, GGPoker secured an online poker license in the Czech Republic, thanks to a partnership with King’s Casino. According to the Czech Ministry of Finance, GGPoker has either lost or relinquished its license.
The ministry’s list of licensed gambling operators, which is updated bi-monthly, included GGPoker.cz in June, but it is no longer listed in the August edition. Reasons for withdrawal the exact reasons why GGPoker has lost its Czech license remain uncertain.
However, the timeline suggests that legislative changes introduced earlier this year could be a key factor. These regulations included an increase in gambling tax. They also require online poker rooms to implement strict measures, such as self-exclusion options and a “panic button” that allows players to block themselves from all licensed poker rooms in the country.
Czech Republic create a Button panic for players, on the new Gambling act
These requirements are difficult to integrate and entail significant costs. GGPoker’s representative in the Czech Republic, King’s Slots, has the option to reapply for a license once it has met the new legal regulations. There is also the possibility that GGPoker will adapt its software for other markets and use this modified version to re-enter the Czech market.
