The Czech Republic’s Ministry of Finance has opened a consultation on sweeping new gambling legislation expected to be introduced later this year, with regulation of the booming machine gaming sector a likely priority as latest figures underline the astronomic rise to market prominence of loosely-regulated video lottery terminals.

The Czech Ministry of Finance intends to formally promulgate its plans to reform national gambling laws by the end of November following the publication of an Ernst & Young report that confirmed the need for wide-reaching gambling reform in the country, but revealed a lack of consensus on how internet gambling and competitions and prize draws should be incorporated under new legislation.

A senior government minister has called for forthcoming gambling legislation in the Czech Republic to include a ban on internet and mobile gaming, as well as tighter regulations for widely prevalent VLT machines. The country’s finance ministry has just completed a public consultation process for a new law that should be introduced this year.

The general manager of Czech lottery and betting operator Sazka has told local media the firm is in talks to bring in a foreign partner to help Sazka gain ascendency in the Czech betting market as new results for rival Fortuna outshine Sazka’s own.

After numerous attempts at reform, the Chamber of Deputies is yet to debate a number of proposed amendments to the country’s primary gaming legislation.

The Czech Ministry of Finance has issued permits to the country’s five largest bookmakers allowing them to accept bets over the internet for the first time. The licences have been granted after years of lobbying from operators and come as the Ministry prepares broader reform of the Czech gambling market.

The Council of the European Union yesterday discussed gambling policy for the first time at the request of the French Presidency, but little progress was made with the issue. As economic storm clouds gather across Europe it now appears likely that the issue looks set to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The following Practical guide delineates the licensing and regulatory requirements for land based gambling casinos and gambling venues.

The regulatory climate in the Czech betting and gaming market, estimated to be worth more than £2bn annually, took a sharp turn towards prohibition recently, with government officials now engaged in the drafting of an outright ban on internet gambling in the new EU member state.

Leading land-based bookmakers in the Czech Republic are reportedly considering obtaining remote gambling licences outside of the country in order to get around the Czech Government’s restrictions on internet betting.