Slovak Republic bans gambling on Pope Francis day of mourning
The government of the Slovak Republic has declared a national day of mourning for the funeral of Pope Francis, during which gambling activities will be prohibited.
A period of national mourning on 26 April from 8am to 6pm has been set by the state. The Slovakian Gambling Regulatory Authority (URHH) has sent a note to operators prohibiting them from offering gambling activities during the period of national mourning.
A statement released by the regulator on 24 April said the ban will exclude online games and the national lottery, which is run by state-owned Tipos in cooperation with foreign gambling operators.
Operators are also still allowed to publish gambling results during the day of mourning.
Pope Francis dies
The 88-year-old Pope Francis passed away on 21 April. He will be buried at the Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome’s Esquilino neighbourhood on 26 April.
Mourners have been flocking to St Peter’s Square in Rome to pay their respects and many world leaders are expected to attend the funeral.
The election process must start 20 days following the pope’s passing and cardinals will meet in the Sistine Chapel to form a conclave and elect the next head of the Catholic Church.
Gambling markets have seen a trade in wagers on who will be elected the next pope. With bookmakers such as Paddy Power and William Hill giving odds.
There is a long history of gambling on papal elections, with the earliest records dating back to the 16th century. Gambling on the next spiritual leader of the Catholic Church was an excommunicable offence since 1591, however, that was later repealed in 1918.
Online gambling growing in Slovak Republic
URHH posted its annual report 11 March, in which it said it expects revenue from land-based gaming to decline in 2025.
In Slovakia, online gambling revenue jumped 30% to almost €476 million in 2024.
Last year, licensed gambling in Slovakia reached a total player spend of €24.2 billion, up 11% from the previous year.
Total gambling revenue for the region across all verticals came in at €1.45 billion, an increase of 9.6% from 2023.