Slovakia is stepping up efforts to understand how gambling-like features in digital entertainment may affect younger generations, with the national gambling regulator joining forces with academia to develop evidence-based protections.
The Slovak Gambling Regulatory Authority (URHH) has launched its “Safer Digital Future” initiative through a new cooperation agreement with the Department of Digital Games at the Faculty of Mass Media Communication of the University of St Cyril and Methodius in Trnava.
The partnership will focus on how emerging digital products and gaming mechanics could expose Generation Z and Generation Alpha to gambling-related risks.
Gaming and gambling lines becoming harder to separate
A central part of the research will examine the growing overlap between video games and gambling.
URHH plans to study features such as loot boxes, skin betting and randomised rewards, which can introduce chance-based spending into games that are not traditionally classified as gambling products.
The regulator said modern monetisation systems, game design and social media are making the distinction between gaming and gambling increasingly difficult to draw. According to URHH, repeated exposure to these mechanics could contribute to the normalisation of risk-taking among younger users.
The authority is particularly interested in understanding how these experiences may influence attitudes towards gambling among Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
Regulator wants to get ahead of new risks
Libuša Baranová, Director General of URHH, said regulation needs to keep pace with the way younger people interact with technology.
For today’s younger generations, she argued, digital platforms are deeply integrated into everyday life, making it important for regulators to understand not only gambling products themselves but also the psychological and design mechanisms used across the wider gaming industry.
The new partnership will therefore combine regulatory expertise with academic research into game design, player behaviour and digital culture.
Research to shape future prevention measures
The Department of Digital Games at the university will contribute its specialist knowledge to help identify emerging risks and assess how digital gaming environments may influence younger audiences.
The cooperation is also expected to support future prevention programmes and educational initiatives, while creating a framework for the regulator and researchers to exchange information on new developments in the sector.
Juliána Mináriková, Acting Dean of FMK UCM, said the collaboration would allow researchers to examine digital games not only as entertainment products, but also from the perspective of potential risks and responsible use.
Move comes as Slovakia considers wider gambling reform
The initiative arrives while Slovakia continues to debate the future of its gambling regulatory framework.
The country’s National Council is considering whether the 2019 Gambling Act requires a broader review as the market continues to evolve, particularly with online casino becoming an increasingly important segment.
Earlier proposed amendments aimed to introduce tighter controls and restrictions around gambling licences were vetoed by President Peter Pellegrini. However, the president has indicated support for a more comprehensive reform focused on strengthening consumer protection.
Against that backdrop, URHH’s research partnership could provide policymakers with additional evidence when considering how Slovakia should respond to emerging gambling risks.
The regulator’s message is clear: protecting younger users increasingly requires looking beyond traditional gambling products and understanding the digital mechanics that can blur the line between gaming and betting.