Europe · CZ
Czech Republic
The Czech National Bank supervises payments, e-money, investment and crypto-asset services, while online gambling is licensed by the Ministry of Finance.
At a glance
- Status
- EU member state
- Region
- Europe
- Regulated sectors
- GamingPaymentsCryptoInvestment
- Authorities
- ČNB · Ministry of Finance · FAÚ
- Licensing routes
- 4
- See also
- EU / MiCA
Overview
The framework
The Czech Republic licenses online gambling under its Gambling Act, with licences for remote games issued by the Ministry of Finance. Unlicensed online gambling is subject to website and payment blocking.
Financial services are supervised by the Czech National Bank, which authorises payment and e-money institutions and investment firms, and is the competent authority for crypto-asset service providers under MiCA.
Authorities
Who regulates what
- Czech National Bank (ČNB)
- Banking, payments, e-money, capital markets and crypto-asset services.
- Ministry of Finance
- Gambling licensing and regulation.
- Financial Analytical Office (FAÚ)
- Financial intelligence unit; AML/CFT reporting and supervision.
Regimes
Licensing routes
Online gambling licence
Licence for remote games under the Gambling Act.
Sectors: Gaming
Payment / e-money institution
Authorisation by the Czech National Bank, passportable across the EEA.
Sectors: Payments
Investment firm
MiFID II authorisation for investment services.
Sectors: Investment
MiCA CASP authorisation
Crypto-asset services authorised by the Czech National Bank.
Sectors: Crypto
Applications and regulator engagement for these routes are handled by our Regulatory & Licensing practice.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- Gambling and financial services are licensed by different authorities under separate regimes.
- EU passporting applies to financial licences, not to gambling.
This overview is general information, summarised at a high level. Requirements change and depend on the specific activity; seek advice on your circumstances before acting.
Industries
Relevant industries
- iGaming & GamingB2C operators, B2B suppliers, platforms, aggregators and affiliates.
- Fintech & PaymentsPayment and e-money institutions, PSPs and acquirers, payment facilitators and embedded finance.
- Crypto & Digital AssetsCASPs and VASPs, exchanges, custodians, wallets, token projects and crypto payments.
- Forex & InvestmentsForex and CFD brokers, investment firms, trading and investment platforms.
Across jurisdictions
Cross-jurisdiction capabilities
Services we support across the jurisdictions in our directory, described once on their own pages. How each is delivered depends on the local requirements that apply; where local qualification is required, we coordinate locally qualified counsel.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionPrivacy compliance and GDPR programmes, notices and DPAs, DPIAs, data mapping and ROPA, transfers, audits and breach response.
- AML & Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFT programmes, MLRO-as-a-Service, independent AML/CFT audits, risk assessments, monitoring, sanctions and inspection support.
- IP Registration & ProtectionTrademark and patent registration and protection, copyright protection, domain name disputes, portfolio support and IP agreements.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions for banks, partners and investors.
- Bank Account OpeningSupport with corporate and operational accounts at banks and EMIs, prepared for how their compliance teams assess high-risk businesses.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupSupport with merchant account applications and acquiring setup at acquirers and PSPs, including for high-risk merchant categories.
Support
How we support businesses in Czech Republic
- Regulatory & Licensing01Strategy, applications and regulator engagement for the gaming, payments, crypto and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate Structuring02Group architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory Strategy10Market prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness for businesses expanding into new jurisdictions.
- Information Security & Technology Compliance06DORA, NIS2 and the information security obligations that apply under EU law.
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