Municipal Regulation of Gambling in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Gambling has become major issue in the Czech Republic with uncontrollably increasing number of casinos, gaming houses and video-lottery machines in restaurants. As municipalities find national level statutory regulation insufficient, they often decide to restrict or ban gambling on their territory themselves. Therefore, they issue secondary legislation - generally binding municipal ordinances. Historically, interpretation of constitutional limits to original legislation of local governments obstructed their efforts. The change in the Constitutional Court perception of the scope of self-governing competence to issue generally binding municipal ordinances is summarized. The current practice of municipalities and economic impacts are discussed. In the end, changes de lege ferenda are proposed.