Casinos to Disappear from Prague Streets

The longest City Council meeting in Prague history has returned a “yes” on the gambling ban

Dave Park

Written by Dave Park Published on 27.11.2015 16:23:30 (updated on 27.11.2015) Reading time: 1 minute

Daily News Food & Drink

Earlier this year, we wrote about the proposed gambling ban in Prague, which would see a drastic reduction in the number of casinos and gambling bars in the city.

In a poll that asked users whether gambling should be banned in Prague, the vote was split at 50-50.

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Prague City Hall may have also faced a close vote during what has been reported as the longest Prague City Council meeting in history, lasting over a month from late October until yesterday. But the vote finally came through on Thursday night. 

It’s official: beginning in 2016, Prague will see a drastic reduction in the number of gaming establishments.

From January 1 of next year, 212 gaming sites will have their gaming licenses revoked, leaving a total of 101 establishments designated as casinos in the Czech capital. The city will also stop issuing gaming licenses to new establishments as they gradually phase out the existing venues.

Some districts, including Prague 4, 5, and 7, will enforce a strict zero tolerance policy towards gambling, leaving no casinos in those districts.

According to ČT24, gambling may effectively disappear from Prague streets by the end of 2016. 

The move is aimed at curbing “a variety of sociological and pathological phenomena,” associated with gambling, said Prague mayor Andrea Krnáčová, and is predominantly aimed at removing the popular “herna” bars that target local residents.

Hotel casinos and other gambling establishments aimed at tourists are more likely to retain their licenses.

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But the move may come at a cost. Prague received a total 913.4 million CZK in gaming taxes in 2014, including 769.1 million CZK from slot machines, writes ČT24. 

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