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A new research drive in Slovakia has been set up to shield younger audiences from gambling‑related harm. The Slovak Gambling Regulatory Authority (URHH) has rolled out its “Safer Digital Future” programme, working with the University of St Cyril and Methodius in Trnava to gather evidence on how digital games and gambling mechanics overlap.
The partnership, signed through a memorandum with the university’s Faculty of Mass Media Communication, will study the risks tied to modern gaming features such as loot boxes, skin betting and randomised rewards.
URHH has cautioned that the old line separating gaming from gambling is fading fast, with monetisation models, advanced design and social platforms exposing Gen‑Z and Alpha audiences to chance‑based spending that looks and feels like traditional betting.
Coalition looking to shape the attitude for Gen Zs and Alphas going forward
The Slovak regulator has warned that constant exposure to gambling‑like features in games could make risk‑taking feel normal for younger audiences.
Libuša Baranová, Director General of URHH, stressed that regulators need to understand how these generations interact with digital products. “For Gen Z and Alpha, technology is not just a tool but the environment where they form identity, relationships and their view of the world,” she said, adding that protection requires staying one step ahead of the risks built into modern game design.
Baranová explained that regulators must study the details of gaming mechanics, design choices and the psychological triggers that influence young players.
The partnership with the University of St Cyril and Methodius will provide that expertise, with its Department of Digital Games offering Slovakia’s first academic programme dedicated to game studies.
The cooperation will also allow researchers and regulators to share knowledge, track industry developments and design prevention programmes based on evidence.
Juliána Mináriková, Acting Dean of FMK UCM, shared the importance of the partnership, stating, “Digital games are one of the most powerful environments shaping young people’s behaviour.”
She said the collaboration gives academics a chance to connect their understanding of game design with practical tools for prevention, ensuring that younger audiences learn to use the digital world responsibly.
It’s also not the first time the national Gambling Regulatory Authority has officially partnered with the University of Trnava. Earlier in March, the university was called on to develop a strong educational framework regarding digital gambling risks, with the regulator supplying researchers with extensive proprietary market data securely.
Wider gambling reform remains on the cards
Lawmakers in Slovakia are still weighing whether the Gambling Act of 2019 should undergo a broader overhaul. Ministers have been tasked with examining how the market has shifted, with online casino play now standing as its largest segment.
Earlier this year, parliament debated amendments put forward by Sports and Tourism Minister Rudolf Huliak, who sought tighter controls and stricter licensing rules.
Those proposals were blocked when President Peter Pellegrini issued a veto, though he signaled support for a more sweeping reform package that would place consumer protection at its core.
Source: SBC News
