Slovakia Suspends Gambling During National Mourning for Pope Francis
The Slovak Republic suspended gambling activities on April 26 during a national day of mourning for Pope Francis, with exceptions for online games, the national lottery, and publishing results, as ordered by the Gambling Regulatory Authority.
The Slovak Republic paused gambling activities on April 26, 2025, as part of a national day of mourning for the funeral of Pope Francis.
From 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., gambling operators were required to suspend operations. The Gambling Regulatory Authority (URHH) sent formal instructions to operators, citing the legal basis under Section 14(10)(b) of the country’s Gambling Act.
Notably, the ban did not apply to everything:
- Online games were allowed to continue.
- The national lottery, operated by Tipos with international partners, remained active.
- Publishing gambling results was also permitted.
The Slovak government’s announcement emphasized respect during a time of national significance. Operators that failed to comply risked facing regulatory consequences.